Poppies top the league with four out of four
on 24/08/05 by Andy Starmore
Bournemouth Poppies sit proudly at the top of Wessex One, following their 3-1 derby victory over neighbours Poole Town at Victoria Park.

Pete Moore’s side have surprised a lot of people winning their opening four encounters and with Winchester City going down 2-1 at Moneyfields and Thatcham Town also suffering a shock defeat at home to Bemerton, Poppies are now at the top of the pile.

“I think we’ve peaked too early,” joked manager Moore.

“We played superb against Poole and we battered them really.

“And defensively we were solid. Richard Glennister and Leigh Phillips didn’t get a kick all night.”

The night didn’t get off to the best of starts for Poppies, with Karim Benssaouda being shown a red card after 20 minutes, for retaliation on Ollie Cherrett.

A decision that incensed Moore.

He said, “Cherrett clattered Karim in the back of the head as he went past him and Karim has pushed him with his hands for doing it and the referee has sent Karim off.

“All Karim has done is given Cherrett a little cuff round the head and he’s gone down as if he’s been shot.

“He laid on the floor rolling around for about five minutes and it was embarrassing.

“We were in total control of the game at that point as well.”

Despite their one man deficit Poppies took the lead shortly afterwards via an own goal, before the Dolphins equalised just before half time.

More drama was to come in the second half of an entertaining nights football when Poole themselves had a player sent off for deliberate handball on the line from a Lamin Dibba header, resulting in a penalty for Poppies.

Scott Joyce despatched the spot kick for his third goal of the campaign and to round things off for the home side James Bailey-Pearce smashed home a right foot shot from the edge of the box for 3-1.

It may look surprising to see Poppies sitting pretty at the top of the table but they are playing some excellent football and will be a handful for any side this season.

Moore also believes they can get better.

He added, “Deep down I knew we had the capabilities of doing well and we’ve got players to come in yet as well.

“It’s keeping everyone happy though and I feel a bit like Jose Morinho at the moment. We’ll keep our feet on the ground though.”

Another plus for Poppies was the return of former Cherries striker Fawzi Saadi.

And if Benssaouda had remained on the pitch, the combination of him, Saadi and Joyce is one that must surely get the Poppies faithful rubbing their hands in anticipation.

Only two other sides in Wessex One hold a 100 per cent record. Wimborne Town, who have won three out of three and Hamworthy United, who have won their one match they have played so far.