THERE was no honeymoon period for Horndean’s new manager as they crashed 2-0 at Sholing in the Sydenhams Premier Division on Saturday.

Following Dave Carter’s departure to Moneyfields, the Deans have appointed ex-Bognor assistant boss Craig Pearce, a senior coach with Pompey in the Community, as the man in charge at Five Heads Park, writes Wendy Gee.

But Pearce endured a tough start to his reign as first-half goals from Marvin McLean and Dan Mason eased the Boatmen to three comfortable points against their third-placed visitors.

Sholing meant business from the off and, after skipper Byron Mason’s tenth-minute cross-shot had been turned onto the bar by Deans 'keeper Derek Harding, they quickly seized the lead.

Barry Mason played McLean through and the little winger guided the ball accurately into the bottom corner.

The Horndean woodwork shook again from Byron Mason’s bullet header as Sholing pushed for a second.

It arrived on 40 minutes when new boys Dougie Rowe and Jake Hoole combined to set up top scorer Dan Mason to finish from 16 yards.

The Boatmen had several chances to extend their lead after the break, the pick falling to centre-back Dan Miller who headed over from a corner.

One last home opening went begging in the 88th minute when Barry Mason’s back heel set up sub Lukas Sabo, who shot wide.

Sholing, currently fifth, return to action on Wednesday (7.45pm) at home to Southern League AFC Totton in the Russell Cotes Cup.

New Horndean boss Pearce will be assisted by Simon Chamberlain.

A club statement said: “The model that Horndean FC is attempting to build is that of a local club at the heart of its community.

“The appointment of a young and ambitious manager working with a core of locally-based players very much fits this bill.”

Carter's Moneyfields lost 1-0 at Cowes Sports - Aidan Sainsbury's curling free-kick settling the issue.

Newport IoW edged a tight game 1-0 at Fareham thanks to returning hero Tom McInnes, who has just re-signed from Moneyfields.

Fareham were ravaged by injuries and manager Steve Stone said: "On Thursday we had 11 players available and my plan to get the players in for an injury clinic was thwarted by the physio getting a sprained ankle herself!"