Chickerell UNITED 5 SHAFTESBURY 1

SCOTT Henley and Josh Why both grabbed doubles as Chickerell United made light work of Shaftesbury at Weymouth College.

Despite the blustery conditions, the Chickens produced some fine football during this Magna Dorset Premier League encounter and raced into a 4-0 lead before the break.

Henley then missed a chance to claim his hat-trick on the hour by sending a penalty over the crossbar before the Rockies pulled one back through James Coffin.

With a strong wind at their backs, the visitors then enjoyed a sustained period of pressure but United saw it out before going on to grab a fifth in the later stages.

Chickerell boss Maurice Welch said: “Despite the wind and rain, we knocked the ball around really well in the first half and Shaftesbury never really threatened us.

“We eventually went ahead on 20 minutes and from there we grabbed three more before half-time with Scott grabbing two and Josh and Nick Etherington bagging one each.

“That made it pretty much game over but in the second the wind really got up and made life difficult as Shaftesbury pushed more men forward in a bid to put us under pressure.

“Scott unfortunately missed a penalty for his hat-trick and then they made it 4-1 during a 10-minute period of pressure, which caused a bit of a concern.

“However, we rode it out and then got back on top with Josh scoring the fifth with 20 minutes remaining.

“Overall it was a very pleasing performance, particularly in the first half, and I thought there were some fine performances.

“Steve Welch did very well at the back along with Scott, who is such a big player for us at this level, and there were also good displays from Dan Welch and Liam Miles in the midfield, and Josh up front.

“Hopefully, we can now build on this result next week at Swanage Town & Herston.”

The Chickens remain sixth in the county’s top-flight, one point adrift of fifth-placed Holt United.

Chickens: Weeks, S Welch, Henley, Sibley, Beads (Peck 60), Miles, D Welch, Walbridge, Lambert (Falcus 75), Etherington, Why. Sub not used: Ja Welch.