SOUTH CHERITON UNITED 1 CHICKERELL UNITED 6

CHICKERELL chief Steve Coward saw his side’s surge for the league title continue as they breezed past South Cheriton United.

A blistering hat-trick from striker Josh Why in the opening 20 minutes put the Chickens in the box seat, and Joe Charles found the net for the visitors to put the game beyond doubt before the break.

Striker Warren White and Adam Ykhlef also scored during the second period to hit the home side for six.

And despite South Cheriton grabbing a consolation with virtually the final kick of the game, Chickerell manager Coward was ecstatic with his side’s display.

“We were superb,” he told Echosport.

“They lost their striker Matt White to Wincanton which was a blow to them but, to be honest, it was up there with one of our top performances of the year.

“We didn’t let them play, we kept possession well, and attacked when we had the ball.

“We won our first and second balls in defence, and that's all you can ask for really.

“It is a tough place to go to and win. It’s a long way out and you have to get your best side to travel up there. We still had a couple missing but overall it was a strong side.

“It’s tough for me as well. I have 15 lads who are all capable of playing in the starting XI at the moment.

“They are all keen and fit to play, and it is tough to make those shouts.”

Coward also hailed the reaction of hitman Why, who he believed was on top form.

He added: “Josh gave me a reaction which I wanted from him.

“Over the last couple of weeks he had been brought off here and there and he wanted to go out and prove a point, and he certainly did that.

“Liam Taylor had a couple of bad games and had to sit on the bench for three weeks.

“He probably only got 10 minutes for us in those three weeks but I chucked him back in at the deep end and got a reaction from him too. He was superb.”

Chickerell remain four points behind league leaders Balti House with two games in hand on their rivals, who won 2-1 at Corfe Mullen United.

Commenting on the title race, Coward added: “We know we have to win every game and every game is a cup final for us.

“We have a good mentality in the dressing room and the lads are experienced enough to realise that’s what we have to do.”

The win also means the Chickens are still firmly on for a league and cup double this season.

They host Dorset Senior League bottom club Portland United Reserves in the semi-finals of the Dorset Senior Trophy on Saturday (2.30pm) and could meet either Bridport Reserves or Stourpaine in the final.

Chickens: Boore, S Welch, Miles, Burton, Taylor, D Welch, Charles (Ykhlef), Etherington, Churchill, Why, White (Smith-McFarlane)