#PLStories- Chris Mepham says win at Saints was for Cherries ‘fans who have stuck with us’ #AFCB

Historically, Cherries have a wretched record away to their south coast rivals. This week’s win marked just a second time Cherries have won away at Saints, the first coming on their last trip their in September 2019. Since that day, Saints had racked up three successive wins over Cherries, all at Vitality Stadium, the hosts failing to find the net. Mepham has now visited St Mary’s three times since joining Cherries from Brentford four years ago. He started, only to be withdrawn early on during a 3-3 draw there in April 2019, before remaining as an unused substitute for the 3-1 win in September that year. The centre-back played a key role in the 1-0 win on Thursday night, which came four years to the day since he was hooked at the same stadium. Defeat left Saints rooted to the foot of the table, six points from safety. 🍒 Celebrations in full swing #afcb pic.twitter.com/cyuSQwsonz — Tom Crocker (@TomCrockerEcho) April 27, 2023 Discussing this week’s win and being part of some good days for Cherries at St Mary’s, Mepham told the Daily Echo: “I remember getting dragged after 30 minutes away from home, so other than that day! “For the fans, there’s always a little bit more on this game. “For us as players, we approach it the same as any other game, but in the background we know there is obviously that local rivalry, so I think it was important to get the win for the fans that obviously have stuck with us all this season.” While Marcus Tavernier’s goal was all that separated the sides, Cherries were the better side for the majority of the contest on Thursday. However, having failed to put the game to bed, they had a nervy wait at the death when substitute Che Adams slammed home, only for the strike to eventually be ruled offside. “I think that’s the thing we need to get better at,” Mepham explained. “For all our dominance in the first half and the way we controlled the first half, we probably didn’t create enough clear-cut opportunities. “We seemed to arrive in the final third a lot, but then it was a case of second half, just finding a moment out of something to go and get us a goal. “Then it was down to us to see how well we can hang on. “Obviously other than that moment where Che Adams scores, I thought we limited them to very few chances. It probably felt like it was more pressure than they probably put us under.” Cherries return to action against Leeds United at Vitality Stadium tomorrow (2pm).