Six of the best as Royals equal season high
AFC Portchester recorded a joint-highest victory under manager Dave Carter to send Cowes on their travels back to the Isle of Wight reeling from a thumping Wessex League Premier defeat.
The Royals were rampant with doubles from Lamin Jatta and Lee Wort, along with efforts from teenagers Harvey Aston and substitute Archie Greenough, ensuring a 6-0 home victory.
It was their third such win this season after a league win against Amesbury and a Hampshire Senior Cup triumph over Infinity.
Carter conceded in the build-up the meeting with Cowes could have been a little 'spicy' after tempers boiled over when the teams met on the island last month.
But he was delighted with the way his side did their talking on the pitch this time around.
He said: ‘The main thing is our form and how we approach and how we play.
‘We’ve got our squad down to lads who want to work for each other as a team.
‘There are the young lads coming in with Harvey (Aston, started against Cowes), with Archie (Greenough) and Fin Bello coming on.
‘We got the response we wanted from the lads. We did our talking on the pitch.
‘I don’t think they had a shot on our goal until the 85th minute. We were solid, it was a good team performance.’
Versatile teenager Aston, 18, utilised in a right-wing role against Cowes, fired Portchester ahead before Wort added a second in the lead-up to the break as the hosts opened up a 2-0 halftime advantage.
Jatta then chipped in with a fine quickfire double in the space of a few minutes early in the second half to put the Royals in complete control.
Talisman Wort then struck goal number 25 in as many appearances this season to put the hosts 5-0 ahead from the penalty spot.
There was still time for Greenough, 17, to add a sixth late on.
Portchester are in El Creekio midweek derby action when they host Fareham Town in the Hampshire Senior Cup on Wednesday.