IF Simon Browne did not already realise the size of the task facing him at Hamworthy United, he does now.

The former Weymouth, Dorchester and Salisbury defender took charge of his first match since being named Hammers boss on Thursday. And he watched as the Wessex Premier’s basement boys fell to a 1-0 defeat against fellow strugglers Cowes Sports at the County Ground.

On another day to forget for the club, central defender Greg Horlock was dismissed for two bookable offences.

“I saw the game and formed a few opinions about a few players,” revealed Browne, brother of Wimborne boss Alex.

“I’m conscious not to make any knee-jerk reactions, although I’ve got a responsibility to get the team off the bottom as soon as I can. It’s a work in progress.”

Hamworthy United: Shergold, Llewelyn, Horlock, Crow, R Jackson (Cherrett, 75), Yelland, Vavrecka, Khider, Cannie (Mutch, 70), Dancer (Swann, 70), Dovell.

Bournemouth Poppies moved up to second place following their ninth win of the campaign.

The team, managed by Kenny Vaughan and Dan Neville, have been the division’s surprise packages so far this term.

And the Victoria Park outfit lived up to their billing when Paul Roberts struck late on to secure a 1-0 win at Romsey Town.

Poppies: Harvell, Arnold, Byrne, Peprah-Annan, Crutcher, Blake, Roberts, Phillipson-Masters, Wilson (Bates, 70), Diaper (Wrixton, h-t), Cann. Unused subs: Aimson, Sanderson, Vaughan (g/k).

New Milton Town continued to climb away from the wrong end of the table with a 2-1 victory at much-fancied Fareham Town.

Joint manager Andy Bye was handed a victory over his old club thanks to goals from Mark Lilley and Callum Burt.

New Milton Town: Webb, R Chengadu, Clarke, Coleman, Byers, Small (L Lock, 70), Burt, Kenna, Mead, Booker, Lilley. Unused subs: Quirk.

Man of the match Tom Price provided both assists as Christchurch defeated Laverstock and Ford 2-1 at Hurn+Bridge">Hurn Bridge.

The forward laid on a goal for Ben Osborne before playing a key role in Mark Smith’s winner.

Christchurch: Kearn, Costello, Dan Taylor, Crutchley, Linpow, Danny Taylor, Smith, Fairbrother, Osborne (Burden, 80), Price, Rideout (Woolner, 60). Unused subs: Legg, Lucas, Jeffes.

In Division One, Ringwood+Town">Ringwood Town won 2-1 at Horndean thanks to goals from Pete Thompson and Carl Fleet.

Jason Lovell’s second-half header gave Verwood+Town">Verwood Town a 1-0 home victory over Tadley Calleva after what boss Adie Arnold described as a “scrappy” performance.

Ringwood Town: Page, Russon, Vigar, Burge, Leadbetter, Funnell, Howes (Drew, 25, Morrell, 35, Wateridge, 50), Yates, Old, Fleet, Thompson. Unused subs: Hetherington, Sexton.

Verwood Town: Fawcett, Elysee, Lynch, Jamison, Murray, Dyer, Anderton, Arnold, Evans (Matt Newbury, 65), Baguley, Lovell (Truan, 80). Unused sub: Jones.