HAMWORTHY United beat Andover Town 2-0 and gave Stewart Kearn a winning start to life at the County Ground helm.

Kearn, appointed successor to Graham Kemp on Thursday, presided over a home victory that resulted in his side’s elevation to 10th in the Wessex Premier standings.

A goal in each half did the job for the Hammers, who included Aaron Corby in their line-up following his return from DPL outfit Swanage Town & Herston.

The scoring was opened when Stef Penny’s corner was nodded back across goal by Martin Warren and Russell Cook converted.

In the second period, Cook’s low cross found Ben Osborne and the substitute made no mistake as he wrapped up victory.

Boss Kearn told the Daily Echo: “We needed a win for confidence more than anything else and to keep a clean sheet was great as well.”

Hammers: Ackerman, Allen, Blackburn, Cole, Cook, Corby, Donachy, Horlock, Penny, Swann (Miles, 80), Warren (Osborne, 60). Sub not used: Walker.

Elsewhere in the division, Bournemouth Poppies blew a two-goal lead in a 5-2 home defeat to Whitchurch.

A Sam Pekun double inside 19 minutes put the hosts on the front foot but Danny Phillips quickly pulled a goal back and Jack McCarthy levelled in first-half stoppage time.

Josh Green’s penalty midway through the second period put Whitchurch in front and then Jamie Mansell and Adam Pearson completed the rout.

Verwood Town were 4-1 victors at home to Totton & Eling thanks to goals from Matt Groves, Carl Foster, Tom Whelan and Jordan Fisk, while Lymington Town held Moneyfields to a 1-1 draw.

In Wessex One, a Sam Knowles double condemned Ringwood to a 2-1 defeat at Fleet Spurs, while Christchurch were dumped out of the Wessex League Cup at the first-round stage as they were sunk 2-1 by New Milton.

Kabba Jack and James Shering netted for the Linnets at Hurn Bridge while Nathan Saxby grabbed Priory’s goal.