Interim boss Marty praises ‘fantastic’ Royals backing
AFC Portchester's 'fantastic' support this season can play a part in helping them defeat Wessex League Premier leaders Hamworthy.
That's the view of the Royals' interim manager Marty Wallace as they prepare to welcome the table-toppers to the Crest Finance Stadium.
Portchester's average home crowd of 228 this term is the best in the division.
They are one of just two teams in the Premier - along with Bashley (227) - averaging over 200.
For Wallace, it represents just the second time he's led the Royals at home.
In his first game in interim charge, Portchester beat Blackfield 3-0.
‘Obviously, we’ve been touching up to the 300 limit for the past few home games and attracting some extra people and their support has been fantastic,' said Wallace.
‘We saw when we’ve gone to away games how the home support can give an impact on the game.
'We saw that in the Blackfield game, the fact that we had a positive reaction and went a couple of goals up, the noise and support really geed the guys up and kicked them onto maintain that performance and play even better.
'Getting them coming through the turnstiles again is fantastic all round, not only for the players when the first whistle blows, but obviously the club itself from the infrastructure and income to support where we want to get to.'
Wallace is going in search of a third successive victory since being appointed after Mick Catlin’s sacking.
This is his toughest test to date, though, with the Hammers - managed by ex-Gosport striker Tim Sills - a point clear at the top.
Wallace has been pleased with how quickly the players have taken info on board.
He added: ‘It was something that I was keen to do, to implement consistent but basic messages and not try to fill them with too much information too soon.
‘We’ve been doing it in small steps but remaining consistent with those messages.
‘The players seem to have reacted well to that.’