GILLINGHAM RESERVES 3

CHICKERELL UNITED 3

A LAST-MINUTE strike from Steve Welch helped Chickerell United clinch the Dorset Senior League title in the most dramatic fashion on Wednesday night.

Knowing a point against title-chasing rivals Gillingham Town Reserves would be enough to secure the crown, they left themselves with a mountain to climb after trailing 3-0 at the break.

But goals from Matt Harvey and Warren White gave them a sniff of rescuing the title with the game nearing its conclusion.

With the clash in its final minute, up stepped Welch from right back to fizz a shot home from the edge of the area and send the visitors into raptures.

After the game manager Steve Coward was stunned by the comeback and was proud of his players after a dismal first-half showing.

He told Echosport: “We just didn’t come out in the first half, we were nervous.

“Before the game I told the players not to get dragged into anything silly and, unfortunately, they were easing off tackles.

“And, when we got on the ball, we didn’t look after it.

“Being 3-0 down at half-time, we had nothing to lose so we made a couple of changes. It seemed to work.”

Harvey gave the Chickens a lifeline 10 minutes into the second half with a composed finish and White then struck midway through the half to reduce the arrears to just one goal.

“I said at half-time if we get one early then we have a chance,” Coward added.

“(In the second half) We were impressive and they didn’t have any answers.

“In the last 10 minutes we were not putting the ball in the right areas and I just couldn’t see it (the third goal) coming.

“But Steve made a terrific run forward and the ball popped up to him in the box and slotted it home.”

After the equaliser the hosts had two chances from set-pieces to send the league down to the final day of the season but the away side held on for a memorable point.

“The lads went absolutely nuts,” the manager explained. “We had a few people come up and support us so it was great to win for them.

“To come back from 3-0 down shows the character of this squad. Many teams would have folded at half-time but they kept on going. It was fantastic.”

With the title secured, the Chickens will be in party mode when they take on Witchampton United at home on Saturday (3pm) to conclude their season.

The trophy will be presented to the team after the game.