WING wizards Harry Cornick and Sam Griffin both weaved their magic as Christchurch last night cast a spell over fellow Wessex Premier high-fliers Moneyfields at Hurn Bridge.

Cornick’s clinical double sandwiched a sublime effort from Griffin as Priory eased to a comfortable 3-0 victory – and made Moneys pay a heavy price for an ill-disciplined first-half showing.

The visitors had Steve Hutchings sent off for a dreadful challenge on James Burden and were fortunate to see Dan Gauntlett escape with only a booking following a two-footed lunge on the same player.

Teenage prospect Cornick fired Priory ahead with a composed finish after 12 minutes, with Griffin and impressive right-back Dan Thompson combining to fashion the opening.

Griffin then took centre stage when his majestic left-foot curler left Moneys goalkeeper David Hook rooted to the spot, the winger’s stunning strike a leading contender for Priory’s goal of the season.

Former Cherries apprentice Hutchings received a straight red card from Sandford-based referee Adam Baker following his vicious challenge on Burden midway through the first half.

And as Moneys’s frustrations grew, Gauntlett could count himself lucky to stay on the pitch following his X-rated tackle on Burden, referee Baker inexplicably showing leniency to the midfielder.

Cornick completed the scoring five minutes into the second half when he again finished with accuracy into the bottom corner, the youngster doubling his goal tally for the season.

Priory boss Graham Kemp said: “The difference between the teams was our two wide players and discipline. They are a good side but two quality finishes in the first half put us on top.”

Priory: Collins, Thompson, Legg, Crutchley, Magookin, Burden (Burt, 63), Smith (Yelland, 80), Griffin, Osborne, Puckett (Cullen, 78), Cornick. Unused subs: Lloyd, Frampton (g/k).

Jackson’s thunderous strike deep into stoppage-time deprived the struggling Linnets of a much-needed victory after they had twice gone ahead.

Ashley Booker’s 25-yard ripsnorter handed the visitors a sixth-minute lead before free-scoring Connor Phillips headed home his sixth goal in as many games to make it 1-1.

Dan Fox nodded Tommy Donaldson’s 71st-minute corner past Poppies goalkeeper Nic Jones to restore the visitors’ lead before Jackson had the final say late on.

Poppies: Jones, Ayrton, Jackson, Wilson, Phillipson-Masters, Ward, Watt, Corby, Warren, Saadi, Phillips. Subs: Lepage, Khider, Clarke, Llewelyn, Vaughan (g/k).

Linnets: Hookway, Morris, Blackburn, Booker, Curtis, Fox, Proctor (Pidgley, h-t), Barge, De’ath (Head, 83), Molloy, Donaldson. Unused sub: Groves.

  • Also in the Wessex Premier, Hamworthy United registered a 1-1 draw with Hamble at the County Ground, while Andy Jenkinson’s 89th-minute penalty earned Bashley a 2-1 win at Arlesey Town in Southern League Premier Division with Mark Gamble also on target for the New Foresters.
  • See Thursday’s Daily Echo for reaction from last night’s non-league programme and see today’s paper for previews of Poole Town’s visit to Bishops Cleeve in Division One South & West of the Southern League (7.30pm) and Verwood Town’s clash with Wessex Premier strugglers Lymington Town at Potterne Park (7.45pm).