Wallace heads into lockdown with 100 per cent winning record as AFC Portchester caretaker boss!
Caretaker-manager Martin Wallace enjoyed a winning start as AFC Portchester bounced back to winning ways with a 3-0 Wessex Premier win against Blackfield & Langley at The Crest Finance Stadium.
Wallace was given temporary charge after the Royals sacked manager Mick Catlin the previous Monday.
Catlin was axed after suffering four successive league and cup defeats.
Wallace has been tasked with steadying the ship until chairman Paul Kelly appoints a new boss.
After a shaky start, his side responded well to get the better of a dangerous Blackfield & Langley side.
'At least I can boast a 100 per cent record as we go into lockdown,' said Wallace.
'The players reacted well to what we wanted.
'We gave the players clear directions about their responsibilities, what we expected and how we wanted them to play.
'Our early intensity set the tone for the rest of the first half.
'We got our just reward with three good goals.
'Our first five minutes were a little disjointed and Blackfield were dangerous going forward.
'Oscar Johnston's goal stopped them in their tracks and gave us the impetus.'
The visitors could have scored three times in the opening five minutes before the home side grabbed a sixth minute lead - Johnston scoring with a great looping shot over the goalkeeper.
On 22 minutes goalkeeper Cameron Scott rescued the Royals with a great top corner save.
Ten minutes before the break striker Lee Wort went clear through only to be brought down by the goalkeeper.
Captain Steve Ramsey stepped up and made no mistake from the penalty spot.
The Royals still weren't finished and on the stroke of half-time top scorer Wort added a third, latching onto a through ball and beating the keeper at his near post.
It was the former Sholing ace’s eighth goal of 2020/21.
'At half-time we got the players in and let them know what was needed in the second half,' said Wallace.
'We wanted them to consolidate, keep what we had, shut up shop and keep a clean sheet.
That is what they did.'
The visitors were reduced to ten men in the closing stages.
AFC Portchester: Scott, Evans, Martin, Dempsey, Lander, Hanratty, Mason, Ramsey (Clarke), Johnston (Johnson), Wort, Adekunle.
Attendance: 300