Bournemouth Poppies 1 Alresford Town 3: ALRESFORD had to make the long trek to Bournemouth on Saturday for this re-arranged fixture, but were rewarded with their first win of the season and three points that sends them up to 13th in the table.

Alresford started positively and, following a move down the left between Ben Stanbrook and Gareth Barnes, the ball arrived at the feet of Oli Sourmenidis. His pull back across the area found the advancing Ben Thomson, whose shot went into the top corner with only two minutes on the clock.

Although there was no further score in the first half, it became evident that the presence of Barnes was causing the Poppies’ defence problems. John Howard in the visitors’ goal had little to do, while at the other end of the pitch Barnes headed over the bar from a set piece.

At the start of the second half, Andy Turner replaced Stanbrook, and the visitors increased their lead. A free kick for a foul on Turner was taken by Thomson, and his shot was parried by home keeper Tamas Gzobocki.

The loose ball found its way back to Thomson, and his deep cross was headed in at the far post by Barnes.

Barnes increased Alresford’s lead further when he met a Thomson chip over the defence and headed it over the advancing Gzobocki into the far side of the goal.

The only blemish on a fine performance came from the last kick of the match, when Diane Bassiriki managed to get the ball past Howard for a consolation for the hosts.