WESTLAND SPORTs RES 3

CHICKERELL UNITED 1

CHICKERELL United fell to an unexpected 3-1 defeat against the Dorset Senior League’s bottom side, Westland Sports Reserves.

Westland scored two within the opening quarter of an hour, first as the striker caught the defence in possession before slotting home, and then as a cross was met by the head of the striker who finished with ease.

Chickerell dominated possession but the hosts looked to frustrate and get men behind the ball to hold out for a much-needed win.

Josh Why got a reply for the Chickens before half-time, but despite the away side battling to try and get back into the game, hosts Westland secured the win with a direct free-kick in the second period, condemning the visitors to a disappointing defeat.

Speaking after the game, manager Steve Coward said: “We turned up with the wrong attitude.

“I’m very disappointed and the players are very disappointed in their performance, but it is what it is.

“At the end of the day, if you’re going to lose, there’s no point losing to a top three side because you just come away feeling unlucky.

“If you’re going to lose you should lose to the bottom side in the league and you can learn the hard way.

“From when they went 2-0 up they played five at the back which meant they were just so hard to break down.

“We dominated the game with the ball but we couldn’t break them down. We just weren’t good enough on the day.

“It just frustrates you that last week was probably the best performance of the season and this week was the worst, and within seven days it’s not acceptable.

“But that’s grassroots football. If they all played to their best like last week every time they’d be playing at a higher level.

“I can only set the side out and do so much. Once they’re on the pitch it’s up to them to put in performances.

“At the end of the day they’ve got to live with the embarrassment that they’ve lost to a side that are probably going to get relegated.

“It’s embarrassing for them because you can’t play a side that are fighting at the bottom of the league and assume you’re going to win, because they’re going to want to win a game more than anyone else in the league.”

Chickens: Bickerstaff, James, Miles, Rogers, Welch, Harvey, Dewey, Hansford, Ryan, Why, White. Subs: Bill, Sanderman, Ryan.