JUBILANT boss Adie Arnold believes Verwood Town are safe from any lingering relegation fears following Saturday’s sweet 2-1 success over Folland Sports.

Jack Lovell’s double put Potters in complete control before keeper Chris Lynch was sent off with six minutes to go for hauling down Planemakers striker Ryan Long following a mix up with defender James Murray.

Long scored from the penalty spot to jangle a few nerves at Potterne Park but Arnold’s army stood firm and registered back-to-back league victories to secure an 11-point cushion over the Wessex Premier’s bottom two.

Arnold told the Daily Echo: “I think that sees us safe now and I’m confident the other teams down there will not catch us.

“We’re out of that little group at the bottom of the table and, hopefully, with the pressure off we can push on and get some good results in the second half of the season.

“We have only played twice since we lost so heavily at Christchurch but the boys have responded very well to my criticism and we have deserved our victories.”

Meanwhile, Verwood’s manager praised the way his side stood up to the physical test presented by their visitors.

“They are always a difficult side to play against,” he added. “They were route one, very direct and we had to soak up a lot of pressure during the first half.”

Potters: Lynch, Evans, Murray, Molyneaux, Kelly, Dyer, N Saxby, Gajic (Dancer, 85), Lovell, Joy (Webb, 55), Hill. Unused subs: Elysee, B Satterley.

  • A waterlogged pitch caused Christchurch to have their home match with Fawley postponed on Saturday.