CHICKERELL UNITED 2 DORCHESTER SPORTS 1

THE Dorset Senior League title just eluded the Chickens on the last day of the season as Holt secured the point they needed to be crowned champions.

Steve Coward’s side went into their final fixture of the campaign needing to beat Dorchester Sports and hoping that Gillingham Town Reserves could overcome Holt.

And at one stage it looked as though Chickerell would be lifting the silverware come the final whistle – they led Sports 2-0 after 45 minutes as Holt trailed by a single goal at Hardings Lane.

But Holt eventually managed to force a draw with Gillingham, while Sports halved the Chickens’ advantage before the hosts held on for the win.

“We did our bit but it wasn’t enough in the end with Holt getting a point,” said Coward. “The lads were disappointed because they wanted to win it.

“All the players want to win the title as much as I do and I’m hoping they will stay so we can go for it next season.

“I think Holt have been the strongest side but we beat them and drew against them, so we can take something from that.

“But dropping points at home against South Cheriton and away at Corfe Mullen certainly didn’t help.

“We weren’t good enough on the day but can learn from that and go again next season.”

Coward admitted that the 120 minutes his men played in the Dorset Senior Trophy final the previous Tuesday didn’t help on Saturday.

Injury kept out striker Warren White and Joe Charles had to come off at half-time for the same reason.

However, two first-half goals from Josh Why were ultimately enough to give Chickerell the three points against a Sports outfit that were reduced to nine men late on.

Coward added: “Warren didn’t play because he was struggling after the cup final on the Tuesday, and it was a big game for him to miss.

“Joe was also struggling with an injury and had to come off at half-time, so we had to change things around during the game which made it tough.

“Josh scored both our goals and one of them was absolutely fantastic, I don’t quite know how he managed to hook the second one past the keeper.

“Sports scored halfway through the second period to make it 2-1 but I felt we had a little bit more left in the tank.”

Chickens: Boore, Miles, S Welch, Burton, Ykhlef, Charles (L Taylor), D Welch, Etherington, Churchill, Why, C Taylor (Jarvis)