Bournemouth Poppies closed the gap on Christchurch to just three points with their first clean sheet of the season and a 2-0 win against Hythe & Dibden at Victoria Park.
Bournemouth Poppies closed the gap on Christchurch to just three points with their first clean sheet of the season and a 2-0 win against Hythe & Dibden at Victoria Park.
The first big chance of the game would come in the 10th minute from a free kick, with Cain Prentice’s header striking the post.
The first half was very even, with neither team creating many big chances. Poppies’ best chance came in the 16th minute, with Sami Garcia’s volley going over the bar.
The second half provided more entertainment for both sets of fans, as both teams created chances from incisive break aways that lead to corners at the start of the half, with Jamie Wilson’s 48th minute volley narrowly missing the upright.
Despite the missed chance, it would be Poppies that got the breakthrough in the 61st minute after Kyle Graham bundled the ball home as a result of some great link-up play between Jevon and Lee Brad Haensel giving Bournemouth a crucial goal in their relegation fight.
After the first goal, Poppies kept the pressure on and it would pay off in the 75th minute as Shane Barney’s long-range effort crept through the gloves of Nick Harvey to double the hoe side's lead.
That would prove to be enough to secure the three points for Bournemouth and move them six points clear of Hythe & Dibden and within three points of relegation rivals Christchurch after their 3-0 loss to Shaftesbury.
After the game, Poppies manager Phil Brown told NERVE SPORT: “Coming into this game we knew it was a massive six-pointer. Christchurch lost as well so hopefully now we can start getting on Christchurch’s tail and get out of this relegation battle."
Poppies next game is an away fixture to Moneyfields on Saturday 12 February.