SIMON Browne watched as Carl Mutch finally kicked Hamworthy United’s survival mission into action and then admitted: “It’s a relief.”

Player-manager Browne, appointed after Phil Simkin’s departure last month, earned his maiden league victory since taking charge with Saturday’s hard-fought 1-0 success at Winchester City.

Powerhouse forward Mutch netted the all-important goal in the first half to give Hammers their first Wessex League win since August.

Despite revealing his delight at the result, Browne is aware that a tough task lies ahead as he bids to lift Hammers off the foot of the Premier Division table.

He told the Echo: “All it is is a start.

“We’re still bottom and have plenty of work to do.

“There’s no massive celebration because it’s just three points and it’s a work in progress.

“We’ve got to kick on now and use this result as a benchmark for what we can do in the season.”

Browne also had words of encouragement for match-winner Mutch.

“I know a little bit about him and played with him for a short period at Weymouth,” said the County Ground chief.

“He’s a committed player, he works hard and I was delighted he scored because that’s what you want forwards to do.

“There’s still more to come from Carl. He’s the ideal player to have in your team because you know you’ll get 100 per cent out of him.”

Browne also revealed that he was thinking about recruiting some additional players in a bid to “freshen things up”.

Hamworthy United: Shergold, Yelland, Cherrett, Llewelyn, R Jackson, Crow, Merritt, Vavrecka, Cannie, Mutch (Dancer, 80), Swann. Unused subs: Browne, Horlock, Khider.