Lee-sy does it as Wort trio gives Royals win
Lee Wort grabbed a hat-trick as AFC Portchester cruised to a 3-0 Wessex Premier win at Portland United.
The former Sholing striker struck twice in the first half before adding a penalty after the break.
Royals manager Mick Catlin felt his team were never in any trouble in chalking up their third successive victory.
‘It was a comfortable win and we could have scored a few more,' he said.
'Conditions weren't great with a swirling wind and rain so we were glad to come away with three points and another clean sheet.
'Though Lee grabbed the goals, it was far from a one-man show.
'It was a good team performance and he was there to finish off the moves.
'That is what we brought him to the club for and he used all his experience.'
The visitors opened the scoring on 15 minutes when Wort raced onto a ball over the defence.
He took the ball into the area and, though his initial effort was partially blocked, he scored from the rebound.
The Royals doubled their lead on 27 minutes after Rudi Plummer got clear down the left.
Plummer's inch-perfect pass to the far post was tapped home by Wort from close range.
Wort completed his hat-trick seven minutes from the end.
Substitute Patrick Hnath was upended in the area by the keeper and Wort easily converted the spotkick. 'He missed his last penalty so it was good to see him score one,' said Catlin.
AFC Portchester: Snelling, Hibberd, Searle O, Hardy, Hanratty, Chamberlain, Evans, Plummer (Hnath 60), Harding, Wort (Ramsey 83), Johnson (Mason 55).
Christchurch continue to fly the Wessex League flag in the FA Cup after reaching the third qualifying round for the first time in their history.
The Hurn Bridge outfit caused a sensation when they defeated three divisions higher Gloucester City on penalties.
The Wessex Premier outfit took a shock lead on the hour mark through Max Wilcock. Khaellem Bailey levelled in stoppage time to set up a dramatic penalty shootout – but Priory triumphed 6-5 on spot-kicks against National League North oppinents.
It was one of only two ties at the weekend when a step 5 club beat a step 2 one - Sheppey United beating Hawks’ National League South rivals Welling 2-0 in the other shock result.
Steve Hutchings has scored five goals in three FA Cup ties in 2020/21