POPPIES under-13s’ promotion push gathered pace with a 4-0 win over BYFL Division Eight title rivals Christchurch.

Marksman Mo Talbi bagged a brace as Poppies closed the gap on leaders Kings Park to just two points with three games in hand.

Jak Foster opened the scoring with an unstoppable left-foot shot that found the roof of the net in the top-of-the-table clash at Chapel Gate.

And shortly afterwards, Talbi gave Poppies a 2-0 advantage at the interval, before top scorer Luis Brooks and Talbi sealed the three points with second-half goals.

“It was an important game for us,” admitted Poppies manager Nikki Foster. “We needed to beat Christchurch to give us a good chance of winning our league.

“We have three more games left, one more against Christchurch and two against Dexters which will shape the outcome of our division.

“The lads have been awesome all season and if we finish strongly we will be where we deserve to be next season, playing at the top level,” added Foster.

Christchurch manager James Boobier, meanwhile, felt his side lacked the physical presence to compete with Poppies on the day.

“We were undone by a bigger more physical team who prevented us from playing our free-flowing, fast-paced attacking game,” explained Boobier.

“But I have a smashing bunch of lads who are dedicated and work tirelessly for one another.”

Christchurch: Cameron Campbell, Luke Dyas, Stephen Foley, James Hooker, Flynn Quarchioni, Samuel Drake, Sonny Witchalls, Harvey Sawyer, Jake Hogan, Nathan York, Joshua Stacey, Joshua Parker, Joshua Charalambous.

Poppies: Oscar Atkins, Ryan Poole, Henry Shields, Cameron Meek, Lewis Hall, Mo Talbi, Rob McElhone, George Wallard, Luis Brooks, Kacper Behrendt, Jak Foster, Connor Dubergeut, Matt Ford.