BLANDFORD UNITED RES 1 CHICKERELL UNITED 4

CHICKERELL United recorded their seventh Dorset Senior League win of the season to close the gap on leaders Balti House, who were not in action last weekend.

A Steve Welch brace at Blandford Rec, along with goals from Jack Brown and Dan Welch, proved enough for the visitors in a dominant display which impressed boss Steve Coward.

“It is always a good result when you beat Blandford because it’s always a tough place to go,” he told Echosport.

“It was one of the better games we have played for a long time and we deserved the win. We kept possession well and did the right things, and I enjoyed it.”

Craig Haim was on target in reply for the hosts.

Commenting on Steve Welch, who continues to find the net for the club this term, the Chickens’ chief added: “He was playing full-back last year and I ended up playing him on the wing.

“He started playing at full-back again this year and I’ve crept him forward again. Since he has gone out there he is scoring goals.

“Steve is probably one of the quickest lads in the league I would say.

“His pace is outstanding and once he is gone there are very few that will catch him.

“And he is finding himself in the right place at the right time to put the ball in the net.”

The Stalls’ supremo also reserved praise for defender Liam Taylor’s performance.

Looking at the league as a whole, Coward believes now is a crucial period.

He said: “Christmas is coming and we have a big squad so I am happy because I have a lot of lads playing.

“Christmas and New Year is where a few go missing and you need to be able to fill a side.

“All we can do is just keep winning.”

Chickens: Boore, Newnham, L Taylor, Burton, Miles, D Welch (C Taylor 80), Churchill, S Welch, Rawlings (Preece 65), Brown, White