CHICKERELL UTD 3
WAREHAM RANGERS 0

MAURICE Welch was delighted with his Chickens as they chalked up their sixth win on the spin at Cranford Avenue.

In-form Chickerell United had to work hard against Wareham Rangers but goals by Jamie Sibley, Nick Etherington and Stewart Walbridge eventually saw them run out comfortable winners.

Commenting on the Dorset Premier League Cup second round victory, Welch told Echo-sport: “Wareham are a good side but we did the job well in very blustery conditions.

“They had the wind with them in the first half and gave us a few problems but we managed to get to the break with a clean sheet before going on to control the game more in the second half.

“Jamie put us one up on 15 minutes with a great strike from the edge of the box before we then got a penalty for handball just five minutes before half-time.

“Nick stepped up and was denied by a fine double save but he made up for it in the second half when he got another chance from the spot after being fouled, which he stuck away really well.

“Stewart then came off the bench and lobbed their keeper for the third and overall it was just a very good team performance.”

One negative to come from the game for the hosts was an early injury to Josh Tennant.

Welch went on to add: “Josh had to come off after three minutes and go to hospital after sustaining a wrist injury.

“At first we feared it might be broken but it turns out it is just a sprain so hopefully he will not be out for too long.”

Chickerell face Bridport tonight in the second round of the Dorset Senior Cup (7.45pm) and Welch is expecting a tough evening.

He said: “They are a couple of leagues above us and going well so it is not going to be easy.

“But having said that, being huge underdogs, the pressure is completely off us which means we can just go there and enjoy it.”

Chickens: Boore, Peck (Connor 75), Burton, D Welch, S Welch, Etherington, Miles, Stewart (Walbridge 65), Sibley, Why, Tennant (Pattison 3).