Horndean boss Birmingham: ‘We’ve got to cut out the gifts to opposing teams’

Horndean boss Michael Birmingham pictured during Saturday's win against Poppies. Picture: Keith Woodland

The Deans opened up with an impressive 5-2 win against Bournemouth Poppies - the perfect fillip after their FA Cup exit at lower division Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

Birmingham is adamant his players cannot rest on their laurels and need to push on.

'I am looking for the consistency that we lacked last season,' he said.

'A prime example was when we became the first team to beat Alresford Town in the league and then four days later got hammered 4-0 by Fleet Town.

'We were mentally weak in that game and have to make sure that we learn from that.

'Fleet are usually a well organised outfit, hit you on the counter-attack and are strong at set pieces.

'Against Bournemouth I was pleased with the goals we scored but not with the ones we conceded.'

Poppies caught Horndean napping at the start and Birmingham insists they need to tighten up.

Giving another poor goal away in the second half highlighted the weakness.

The visitors even had a chance to level at 3-3 but missed a howler in front of an open goal.

'I need my defenders to defend and not give away any gifts,' said Birmingham.

'They have to make sure they work hard to keep clean sheets.

'We have gift-wrapped too many goals to opponents and it is starting to annoy me.

'I am looking for us to be braver in defence.'

Some of the football Horndean played in the first-half against Poppies was excellent.

Ex-Baffins midfielder Tommy Tierney commanded the midfield, causing the opposition all sorts of problems.

His great balance and ability to turn quickly frequently left defenders trailing in his wake.

'Tommy has set his standards and now I am looking for him to maintain them,' said Birmingham.

'If he could play football 24 hours a day for seven days a week then he would.'

Another big asset for Horndean was the wide play of another ex-Baffins regular, Robbie Taw, who ploughed a succession of crosses into the opposition area.

Up front Miles Everett - who had a spell in the Southern League with Moneyfields last season - scored twice but could easily have doubled his tally.

Birmingham has the luxury of a full-strength squad to choose from.