POPPIES manager Kenny Vaughan still has his eyes firmly on a top-four finish after they thumped Newport (Isle of Wight) 4-0 at home.

Ex-Cherries youth team player Tom Green started the ball rolling with a 25-yard screamer and soon bagged a second following a superb solo run and finish.

Jake Rowley and Matt Kemble were also on target for Poppies as they warmed up impressively for their one-off Wessex Cup semi-final against Bemerton at Brockenhurst tomorrow.

Vaughan said: “Tom’s back living in the area and this was his third game for us.

“He had 20 minutes the previous Saturday against Hamble and made his first start against Brading in midweek.

“Tom has been superb. He is only a young lad who has good pace and good feet and he will be a great asset for us.

“His opening goal against Newport was really spectacular. He beat one man, put his head up and netted with a real thunderbolt.

“Tom said he has never played striker before. If that’s the case, it didn’t show because he certainly knows where the goal is.

“Although he’s not a big lad, he’s really strong, which helps up front.

“I put him together with Mark Kemble in the second half and they looked tasty, with Matt getting our third goal.”

Poppies: Harvell, Arnold, Taylor, Byrne, Crutcher, Blake, Rowley (Rudd 75), Phillipson-Masters, Green, Hodgson (Kemble ht), Hogan. Unused subs: Pickett, Vaughan.