JAMES Taylor watched his Team Solent side slump from “average” to “dreadful” in Saturday’s 3-1 Sydenhams Premier defeat at home to Bournemouth Poppies.

The Southampton Solent University outfit took a 1-0 lead through Tobi Adekunle shortly before the break.

But they went disastrously downhill in the second half as Fawzi Saadi (2) and Sami Makhloufi hit back for 3-1, clinching Poppies' first league win of the season.

“We were average first half and dreadful second half,” summed up manager Taylor.

“Tobi’s goal should have been a boost for us but, no excuses, we were terrible.”

The result leaves Solent – seventh last season – with just four points from six games.

But stuttering starts are nothing new for the student side who never truly get going until the university term gets started.

“It’s all a bit hit and miss,” said Taylor. “It’s particularly hard in August to get a side out.

“Most of the players have been around and they’ve tried hard to get in from different places, but we’ve not had them all together regularly and the lack of training shows.

“Tobi and Jamel Wiseman have been in and out and we’ve not had Jesse Waller-Lassen, who will be back from America soon.

“The uni boys will be moving into halls on September 15 – and that’s a date we’re all looking forward to!

“Our trials for new players are in the last week of September.”

Solent had been due to play Alresford Town this evening, but it has been postponed due to the Magpies’ FA Cup replay tomorrow.

“It might have done us a favour,” said Taylor. “It won’t hurt us to have a free midweek.”

Matt Spencer scored two crackers and claimed Fawley AFC’s man-of-the-match honours in a 5-2 away win at Cowes Sports.

Lewis Ross, Matt Vining and sub Zac Willis also notched for the Oilers who sit 13th. Leigh Mackenzie and John McKie got the Yachtmen’s goals.

Bashley are third after a 5-2 win over Portland United. Kabba Jack and Jesse Gould hit two apiece and Shane Sheridan rounded off the scoring for the Foresters.

Ex-AFC Totton forward Sam House secured Lymington Town a 1-1 draw at Newport IoW (Jake Younie), while Horndean beat Whitchurch 2-0 through Mark Smith and Robbie Tambling.