CHICKERELL United boss Steve Coward doesn’t mind the other Dorset Senior League title contenders having games in hand on his side – as long as the Chickens keep winning their matches.

Coward’s men pulled three points clear of Westland Sports at the top of the table last weekend thanks to a 2-1 home win over Piddletrenthide.

Westland saw their fixture away to Sturminster Marshall postponed so that leaves them playing catch-up behind leaders Chick-erell.

Both the Chickens and West-land would expect to secure victories tomorrow when they go to Okeford United and Kingston Lacy respectively (2pm).

The weather is likely to have the final say as to whether matches take place or not but, for now, Coward is more than happy to be out in front.

“If we keep getting three points and teams below us don’t play then they have to keep winning their games in hand,” he said. “That puts a bit more pressure on them. I’d like to get these next few games out of the way. It would be nice to pick up our points and let other teams catch up.”

Che Curran, Matt Guilbert and Warren White are back after missing the Piddletrenthide triumph but Liam Miles is serving a two-game ban and Joel Protheroe is recovering from a broken arm.

“We haven’t punished teams but we’ve still walked away with three points,” added Coward. “We’re doing well and the lads are starting to think that it’s there if they want it.”

Portland United Reserves host Blandford United Reserves at Grove Corner (2pm).

But Portland manager Chris Hicks isn’t holding out much hope that his side’s long wait for a game, which stretches back nearly two months, is going to come to an end.

“I would be surprised,” he said. “I can’t see it being on. You can’t see an end to it at the moment.

James Turrell returns for the islanders, who won 4-3 at Blandford in October thanks to a James Hansford hat-trick.

Meanwhile, Upwey & Broad-wey and Witchampton United will try for a fourth time to play their Dorset Senior Trophy quarter-final at Redlands (1.30pm).