Browne bags a brace as Puritans move up to third

The Puritans beat Wimborne Town 2-0 in Saturday’s Division One South & West clash as Mike Ford’s side put in an impressive performance, dominating the game from start to finish for a comfortable three points.

United had the better of the early stages, Ricky Johnson headed over from Browne’s cross before Jack Harding set Mark Bell free into the area and he beat the advancing Shane Murphy only to see his effort strike the far post and come out.

A cross from Bell saw Johnson head just over at the far post before the opener duly arrived in the 34th minute. Another cross from Bell was nodded down by Johnson to Browne who knocked the ball home from six yards.

United finished the half on top, as they had been throughout the first 45 minutes, with George Nash firing just over the bar from the edge of the box.

United were not so dominant after the restart but they still created chances. A free-kick was only cleared as far as Ollie Stanbridge who fired just over and moments later Bell’s free-kick went just inches wide of the near post.

The crucial second goal United were threatening arrived on the hour mark when Felipe Barcelos took a quick throw-in to Bell who crossed low to Browne who back-heeled the ball home from five yards. The last half an hour was comfortable for United as they controlled the game to see it out and collect three more points.