Tierney runs the show as Horndean hit five in opening Wessex Premier victory over Poppies

Tommy Tierney scores on his league debut for Horndean in their win against Poppies. Picture: Keith Woodland

Michael Birmingham celebrated a winning return to the dug-out as Horndean romped to a 5-2 Wessex Premier win against Bournemouth Poppies at Five Heads Park.

Birmingham missed the midweek FA Cup defeat at Bemerton because of a ground ban hanging over from last season.

His smile at the end of the game said it all after watching his team win their first opening league game for three seasons.

'With everything that is going on the world, football is a great get out,' said Birmingham.

Bobby Scott fires in a shot as Horndean go in search of more goals against Poppies. Picture: Keith Woodland

'I am glad to be back and have been told I have to be on my best behaviour.

'It is not nice being sat at home relying on text messages and phone calls to know how the team is doing when you know you should be there.

'We set out to get three points and achieved it without getting anyone sent off.

'For the last two years we have lost our opening games and had players red carded.'

Back in the ground - Horndean boss Michael Birmingham, second left, watches on. Pic: Keith Woodland.

Even though Horndean fell behind to an early goal, it was a game they never looked like losing against a poor Poppies side.

In the second minute defender Jack Lee was caught too high up the pitch, allowing Jack Kinge-Phillips to race past him.

The latter's cross was headed on and Will Prior poked the ball past Lloyd Thomas in the home goal.

Within five minutes Horndean were level when a Tommy Tierney shot from the edge of the area bounced down off the crossbar and Miles Everett hammered in the rebound.

Former Baffins Milton Rovers midfielder Robbie Taw, left, on his league debut for Horndean against Poppies. Picture: Keith Woodland

With Tierney running the show in midfield, the home side played at a tempo the Poppies struggled to cope with.

'He's a player, isn't he?' said Birmingham of ex-Baffins midfielder Tierney.

'It isn't everyday you get a text off a player admitting he made a mistake and asks to come back.

'Since coming back he has been an absolute pleasure.'

Former Southampton midfielder Jake Thompson, right, made his league debut for Horndean as a second half sub against Poppies. Picture: Keith Woodland

On 24 minutes Sam Hookey's superb long pass picked out Everett between two defenders and the striker ran on to fire the ball between the keeper's legst.

Soon afterwards Everett should have completed his hat-trick but saw his spot-kick saved by the goalkeeper diving to his right.

A minute later the hosts were gifted a third goal as Robbie Taw's cross from the left evaded everybody and finished up in the far corner of the net.

'In the first half we played some exceptional stuff and asked a lot of questions of Bournemouth,' said Birmingham.

'We were aggressive, played at a good tempo and scored good goals.'

Birmingham admitted the second half wasn't as good and on 53 minutes the Poppies reduced the deficit.

Almost immediately, though, Tierney restored Horndean's two-goal advantage.

The hosts struck the woodwork twice before substitute Bobby Scott added a fifth goal two minutes from the end.

'Today was a bit of a mixed bag,' said Birmingham.

'I am happy that we won but there are certain aspects I wasn't pleased with

'Both the goals we gave away were poor goals and they also missed a howler in front of an open goal.

'We know that we have things to work on but it is nice to pick up all three points.'

Horndean: Thomas; Taw, Anderson, Hookey, Lee, Grant, Kimber (Thomson 58), Howes, Everett (Scott 72), Jackson, Tierney.