AFC Portchester put Yachtsmen to the sword
The Yachtsmen’s hopes were scuppered in the first 60 seconds when they had a player sent off.
Royals striker Jason Parish was clean through when the last defender brought him down.
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Hide AdJoe Bye scored the resulting penalty and by the break the hosts, who handed home debuts to former Pompey full-back Dave Birmingham and Steve Ramsey, had added goals from Parish and Rob Evans.
Although Cowes pulled a goal back, further strikes from Bye and Geoff Dunne saw the Royals to a comfortable win.
Portchester boss Graham Rix said: ‘We set off quickly and were helped by their sending off.
‘The second half was a bit of an anti-climax but the game was won.
‘The important thing for us at the moment is to stay in touch with the leaders.’