MILBORNE PORT 2

CHICKERELL UNITED 2

CHICKERELL United manager Steve Coward felt it was “two points dropped” as his side battled back twice to earn a 2-2 draw at Milborne Port.

After the hosts took a 1-0 lead into half-time, Steve Welch equalised after the break.

Port went back in front soon after before Matt Harvey levelled for the visitors.

After that, the Chickens camped inside their opponents’ half looking for the winner, but were unable to find the killer goal as they spurned multiple chances.

Speaking after the game, Coward told Echosport: “To be honest, I think it’s two points dropped.

“We played very well, but we were slow off the mark.

“In the second half, we dominated. We had chance after chance to score. We’re talking eight clear cut chances throughout the game and we only took two.

“I’d be more disappointed if we weren’t creating chances, but we are. We’re just not hitting the back of the net.”

Chickerell have had an indifferent start to their title defence having won one game and lost one.

And they didn’t start well here against the Dorset League Division One champions, going 1-0 down in the first half.

But Welch’s strike after the break restored a deserved parity for the Chickens.

However, the hosts wouldn’t lie down and were back in the lead on the hour mark.

The visitors showed character once more as Harvey’s composed finish brought them level again and they continued their dominance until the final whistle.

However, they were unable to snatch a winner as chance after chance went begging.

Milborne Port defended valiantly, but Coward’s side left feeling disappointed with the point.

The manager added: “We were a lot better in the second half. We put an extra man in the middle and we were winning plenty of second balls.

“But we missed chances and that can happen at any level.

“It’s confidence, when you’re not taking chances you can be a bit hesitant, but we will get there.”

A bigger problem for the Chickens is their lengthening injury list.

Last week, Joe Charles was involved in a 50-50 challenge that has left him with a career-threatening injury and his manager hasn’t received any hopeful news.

He explained: “We’re suffering with a lot of injuries. Joe is going into surgery this week and he won’t play again.”

Chickens: Bickerstaff, Rogers, Welch, Sandeman, James, Etherington, Coverill, Harvey, Bill, Hillyar, White. Subs: Ryan, Miller, Hansford