NEW boss Stewart Kearn made a winning start at the Hamworthy United helm, masterminding a 2-0 defeat of Andover Town in the Sydenhams Premier Division.

A goal in each half did the job for the Hammers, who welcomed midfielder Aaron Corby back from Swanage Town & Herston.

Russell Cook opened the scoring after Stef Penny’s corner had been nodded back across goal by Martin Warren. Cook, then turned provider for substitute Ben Osborne to wrap up victory.

“We needed a win for confidence more than anything else and to keep a clean sheet was great,” said Kearn, pictured below, who welcomes his old club Bournemouth Poppies to the County Ground tonight.

Poppies will be kicking themselves after blowing a two-goal lead in a 5-2 home defeat by Whitchurch United.

A Sam Pekun brace seemingly put Bournemouth in command, but Danny Phillips, Jack McCarthy, Josh Green (penalty), Jamie Mansell and Adam Pearson turned the game on its head.

Surprise packages Whitchurch are up to third, two points behind leaders Petersfield with a game in hand.