BLANDFORD UNITED 1 Chickerell UNITED 3 TITLE-CHASING Chickerell United overcame Blandford United to complete a perfect week in the race for the Dorset Premier League crown.

The Chickens were level pegging at the break after Andy Hall had cancelled out an early opener from the hosts.

But a Ross Doidge penalty and a last-gasp strike from substitute Richard Marshallsay secured a third straight win in the space of only four days.

Boss Brendon King was full of praise for his charges. He said: “It was hard-fought to be fair and there were a few tired legs out there but it’s three points and that’s the main thing.

“We started off pretty well but conceded a soft goal from a quickly-taken corner which we didn’t deal with.

“But we clawed our way back and had a few chances before Andy made it 1-1 going into half-time.

“Blandford didn’t really hurt us in the first half and they were not pushing people forward. We had a fair amount of the ball but were not keeping it well enough.

“I told the lads at half-time we could go on and win it and in the second half we had a lot of pressure again.

“Then we got a penalty which Ross scored. They had a spell of pressure with five minutes to go but we broke at the end and Richie finished it off.

“People expect you to go to Blandford and win but they are a decent young side and they work hard for each other. It’s not an easy place to go and we spoke about getting the players in the right mindset because if not then it’s easy to come unstuck.

“However, I’ve got nothing but praise for the lads. It’s hard work playing so many games in such a short space of time but we’re not the only side doing it so we can’t whinge about it.

“We’ve had a good week so we’re very happy.”

The Chickens remain two points adrift of leaders Hamwor-thy Recreation – who defeated Wincanton 1-0 – but still have the luxury of two games in hand.

King added: “Ham Rec won as well but we can’t worry about them, we’ll just take it a game at a time.

“We’ve got Westland Sports away tomorrow night (6.30pm) and they are on a high at the minute, so that will be another tough game.”

Chickens: Weeks, Oliver, Anstey (Burton 70), Welch, Reader, Roper, Litherland, Hall, Doidge, Beades (Marshallsay 70), Etherington. Sub not used: Barrow.