BLANDFORD UNITED RES 3

CHICKERELL UNITED 4

THE Chickens demonstrated their powers of recovery on more than one occasion to edge a seven-goal thriller at Blandford Rec.

Needing a win to stay in the hunt for second place, the visitors trailed 2-0 and 3-2 before fighting back to secure all three points.

Warren White, Jamie Rawlings, Zach Falcus and Steve Welch were on target as Steve Coward’s men sit third behind Sturminster Marshall, who they played on Saturday.

With Westland Sports virtually assured of the Dorset Senior League title, the best the Chickens can hope for now is the runners-up spot.

And, at one stage of the first half on Saturday, that looked to be drifting away from them.

Blandford stormed into a two-goal lead but, by half-time, the Chickens has managed to halve the deficit through White – they also missed a penalty before the break.

A 25-yard screamer from Raw-lings made it 2-2 after the break, only for the hosts to go 3-2 up minutes later.

However, Falcus got Chickerell back on level terms again and then Welch smashed home the winner late on.

“We conceded three poor goals but the lads kept going and showed great spirit and fight,” said Chickens’ boss Coward.

“We brought a few lads in from the reserves and they did well, and we needed the three points.

“Westland have got to lose all their games now to not win the title and we’re looking at second place. I thought they may have slipped up but they have just kept scoring goals.

“I take my hat off to them because they have deserved it and got the rewards for their hard work.”

Liam Coles and captain Liam Miles will not be available for Saturday’s game at Sturminster Marshall, who have one match in hand on the Chickens and who could still pip Westland for first place.

Chickens: Boore, Coles (Guilbert 80), Ferguson, Miles, Willett, S Welch, Campbell-Bell, Falcus, Rawlings, Walbridge, White