BOSCOMBE POLONIA 1

CHICKERELL UNITED 1

CHICKERELL United boss Steve Coward was happy to see his young charges pick up a point at a physical Boscombe Polonia.

Josh Why continued his great form in front of goal by opening the scoring just after the hour mark with a composed finish.

But, the hosts got their equaliser with time running out, Grzegorz Kowalczyk netting to send both sides home with a share of the spoils.

The week before, Coward had been critical of his players following a 3-1 defeat to Witchampton United, but felt his side improved to gain a point on Saturday.

He told Echosport: “They were quite physical and we had a young side after we picked up a couple of injuries in the week.

“We struggled matching up to them, like for like, but we created a lot of chances to win the game.

“If you don’t take your chances, you don’t win games and they created a couple, but didn’t really threaten our goal.

“We just didn’t stick the ball in the back of the net and you end coming away with a point instead of all three.

He added: “We have 16 or 17-year-olds playing that will be pushed about having come up from youth football into men’s football.

“But, there’s nothing we can do about it because of all of the injuries that we have.”

The Chickens had a few chances in the first half to take the lead.

Why and new addition Neil Dewey tried their luck on a few occasions but were unable to break the deadlock.

They did just that midway through the second half as Why, who has been on sterling form since returning from injury netted again to give his side a deserved lead.

Speaking about the striker, the manager said: “Josh has scored in six or seven games since coming back and he’s been impressive.

“Bickers (Ian Bickerstaff) made a couple of great saves to keep us in it.”

However, they weren’t able to keep their lead, as the home side equalised with five minutes to go.

Kowalczyk popped up to level the game and resign the away side to their second game in a row without a win.

Coward remarked: “It’s a bit of a struggle because of all the injuries and the players that are coming in are trying. That’s all I can ask.”

Chickens: Bickerstaff, Bill, Dewey, Harvey, Miles, Miller, Protheroe, Rogers, Ryan, White, Why. Subs: Murphy, Scammell, Talbot