RIVER Smith’s 52nd-minute strike ensured Poppies claimed the Bournemouth Senior Cup for the fifth time in their history, writes Mike Fowler.

He popped up to clinch a 1-0 victory for Michael Cuffie’s men over Hythe & Dibden in the final at Hurn Bridge.

The Poppies striker had a lot to do when he collected the ball just inside the opposition half but he accelerated past the Hythe & Dibden defenders and let fly with a fierce, low drive from the edge of the penalty area.

Smith’s strike was straight at Hythe & Didben keeper Ellis Grant.

The young stopper, who had been outstanding up until then, looked to have it covered but the ball slipped from his grasp and finished in the back of the net.

Hythe had despatched Brockenhurst, Christchurch and Hamworthy United in addition to Poole Town’s development squad on their way to the final.

The Wessex One side once again showed they could hold their own against Premier opposition in an evenly-contested first half.

Hythe left-back Rhys Crooks put through an excellent ball for Fillipos Terzidas in the 16th minute but Poppies goalkeeper Sam Jones was out quickly to block the shot.

At the other end, Grant narrowed the angle well to deny Harry Cooper.

Robbie Pitman headed the ball on for Liam Goulding to break through the middle in the 25th minute but with Poppies’ defence closing in on him, the Hythe winger had to get his shot off quickly and keeper Jones was able to make a comfortable save.

The best move of the match came when Steve Flynn and Smith combined brilliantly to create an opening.

Flynn, who has also featured for Wimborne Town this season, fired a 20-yard blast which was destined for the top corner until Grant somehow managed to get a hand to it to turn it behind.

Grant was in action again five minutes later, saving well from Smith at the foot of the post.

A superb run by Terzidas set up a chance for Hythe’s Matt Smith who sliced his shot wide of the target.

The striker went closer in first-half stoppage time for the Clayfields club however - his curling effort from just outside the penalty area sailed over keeper Jones and clipped the top of the crossbar.

But it was River Smith who broke the deadlock for Poppies seven minutes into the second half with a pivotal strike.

The Victoria Park outfit then almost doubled their lead. Cooper produced a neat turn before forcing an excellent diving save from Grant.

Hythe put together a good move in the 77th minute to create an opening for substitute Harrison Fay at the far post but Poppies keeper Jones dived bravely at his feet to block the shot.

At the other end, Flynn then played in Dom Falco but the Poppies substitute’s shot across the face of goal went just wide of the far post.

Hythe had one last chance to get back on level terms in stoppage time when they hoisted a free-kick into a crowded goalmouth.

Poppies central defender Harvey Elsom came to the rescue with a timely goal-line clearance to ensure his side clinched the crown.

Poppies: Jones, Ohameje (Langston, 52), Aldhayan, Spears, Elsom, Frost, Khider (Falco, 57), Cooper, R Smith (Garcia, 86), Flynn, Zintany.

Hythe & Dibden: Grant, Wyatt (Pooley, 66), Crooks, Tessem, Hayter, Steer, Pitman (Slade, 75), Terzidas, O’Dell, M Smith (Prentice, 68), Goulding (Fay, 68).