NEW manager Graham Kemp described Bemerton Heath Harlequins as “poor” after they were condemned to a 2-0 defeat at his old Christchurch stomping ground.

Kemp returned to Priory, where he spent six years as head coach, on the back of an excellent away win at Newport (IOW) but failed to follow it up with another three points.

A goal in each half from Jack Lovell and Nathan Saxby saw Kemp endure his second defeat in three games, marking a forgettable return to Hurn Bridge Sports Ground.

Lovell put Christchurch ahead midway through the first half courtesy of a crisp strike from 18 yards that zipped into the bottom-left corner.

The lead was doubled in the second half when good pressure from Colin Dand resulted in a back-pass to the goalkeeper, whose clearance only found Saxby.

Despite being some 25 yards from goal, Saxby expertly sent the ball into the net.

“We did okay at Petersfield, were excellent at Newport but were poor on Saturday,” admitted Kemp, after several taxing away trips.

“I would have liked to have won all three but we had unavailabilites and were down to the bare bones.”

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve learnt a lot about the players and their mentality and the club has been brilliant.”

“We’re training regularly and the lads are enjoying it.”

With Bemerton’s Wessex Premier term coming to a close, they need seven points from their last three matches to avoid a lowest points tally since 2008/2009.

Kemp added: “It’s all about next year, now. We will look to strengthen and we want to be challenging for trophies.

“With a good run of results you can really take off, but it’s not going to happen overnight.”