Chickerell UNITED 1

WESTLAND SPORTS 1

CHICKERELL United were just three minutes away from becoming the first team to defeat Westland Sports in almost seven months.

Leading at Weymouth College thanks to Oscar Preece’s opening goal, the Chickens looked destined to record back-to-back wins as the Magna Dorset Premier League encounter entered the final stages.

But with full-time in sight, an unfortunate own goal from Nick Etherington saw the title-chasing visitors salvage a share of the spoils and stretch their unbeaten run to an impressive 30 games in all competitions.

Chickens’ boss Maurice Welch was full of praise for his side.

He said: “It was a good result but it could have been even better as they equalised with three minutes to go through an own goal.

“A corner came in and just hit Nick on the head and went in the corner. It was very unfortunate and Nick didn’t deserve that as he had a great game.”

Welch, whose men remain sixth in the table, added: “We had a young side out but I was pleased with everyone’s performance. I thought we would be in for a thumping when we had a few players cry-off but the rest of the lads put their heart and soul into it.

“I told them beforehand that the pressure was on Westland so they just needed to go out there and enjoy it, but still put in 110 per cent.

“The work-rate was tremendous and they played some good stuff – I could not fault them.

“We had some early chances to put us ahead and by half-time you could see the pressure was on Westland as they started arguing.

“They had one man sent off for two yellows and they just never got going, but a lot of that was because we didn’t let them.

“Tom Peck and Steve Welch were the umpteenth pairing we’ve had at the back this season but they were superb.

“Ross Walker is getting better with every game and Ash Weeks in goal made a great point-blank save in the first half.

“Oscar got our goal with a good header, Josh Why was superb up front and Liam Miles and Nick were great in midfield.

“But they all deserve a pat on the back – it was just unfortunate we couldn’t get the win.”

Chickerell travel to fifth-placed Holt United on Saturday before ending their campaign at Tintinhull on Bank Holiday Monday.

Chickens: Weeks, Walker, S Welch, Peck, Lambert, Preece, Kenderdine, Miles, Etherington, Why, Ja Welch (Hoffman 80).