NEW chairperson Fiona Legg has pledged her "full support" for Christchurch manager Adie Arnold – irrespective of the club's fate this season.

Legg, a former vice-chair at Hurn Bridge, had her return to the club formally ratified on Monday and watched Priory emphatically end their wait for a win in 2015 with a 5-1 thumping of Andover Town last night.

The much-needed boost hauled Christchurch back out of the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division's bottom two after relegation rivals Fareham and Totton & Eling had won 24 hours earlier.

And Legg was keen to quash any speculation over Arnold's future before calling on her fellow committee members to remain united during the club's decisive five-match run in.

Legg told the Daily Echo: "Adie has my full support and the full support of many people at the club. He deserves a good chance with the right backing and that is what he will get.

"Everyone has opinions, that is human nature but we have to get everyone together, work as a team and support the players and management. That is the aim at the moment.

"Who knows what next week is going to bring? We don't know if Adie is going to turn round and say 'I'm done', but personally I would like to work with him next season.

"We are a committee-run club and I can only speak for myself but I will work closely with Adie to make sure everything is in place. The players will also be fully supported.

"There is a lot we can improve but the focus has to be on the football, the players and the management at this stage."

Priory fought back from Michael Dixon's 10th-minute opener for Andover to level within seven minutes through Dan Saul.

Returning defender Jon Grace then put Arnold's men in front on 38 minutes and veteran midfielder Mark Smith made it 3-1 from the penalty spot when Callum Cunniffe-Pilley was sent sprawling 18 minutes from time.

From there, Christchurch went into overdrive with Grace thumping home from a corner before substitute Marcus Cullen despatched 20-yard rocket to make it five in added time.

Legg added: "The lads put in a brilliant performance and really played for the manager. They deserve the credit."

Saturday sees former boss Graham Kemp return to Hurn Bridge with new club Bemerton Heath Harlequins (3pm). Arnold's men go into the clash one point ahead of the drop zone.

Priory: Tong, Swindlehurst, Taylor, Dand, Grace, Martin Smith, Mark Smith, Fairbrother (Cunniffe-Pilley, 57), Lovell (Vining, 84), Saxby (Cullen, 81), Saul. Unused subs: Glatzel, Fawcett (g/k).