BEAMINSTER 1

CHICKERELL UNITED 6

CHICKERELL United coasted to a 6-1 win over Beaminster in the Dorset Senior League, despite having lost top scorer Nick Voss to Westland Sports.

Yet this did not dent the Chickens, who ran rampant against Beaminster, finishing the first half 5-1 up.

Matt Harvey opened the scoring after a well-timed through ball from Nick Etherington, allowed Harvey to slot into the bottom right-hand corner after 12 minutes.

The second goal came via a counter-attack down the right-hand side, which Etherington nodded in to double the lead after 18 minutes.

Beaminster were able to narrow the deficit however, via a wicked deflection.

A shot from 20 yards clattered against a head to send Chickens’ goalkeeper Ian Bickerstaff the wrong way to let the hosts back into the match.

However, three minutes later, Dylan Ellis combined well with Harvey to restore the two-goal lead.

A good move forward saw Harvey lay the ball off to Ellis on the edge of the box who finished well into the bottom right-hand corner.

Last season’s top goalscorer for Chickerell Matt Stickland then added a fourth after 35 minutes.

The first-half rout was complete when Aiden Terry slotted in his first goal of the season as the Chickens ended the half 5-1 up.

The second period saw Ellis come off due to a groin strain, with Shane James coming on.

An even second half saw both teams have chances but unable to really breakthrough and add to the scoreline.

However, on 65 minutes, Chickerell would add to their lead when a handball in the Beaminster box handed the Chickens a penalty.

Etherington duly dispatched the ball into the net to wrap up the scoring as the Chickens ended the rout at 6-1.

Chickerell coach Shaun Murphy said: “It was a very good performance, and a very good attitude towards the game. We played very well and it was a joy to watch.”

Referring to Voss’ departure, Murphy said: “We were wondering what would happen losing our top scorer but the boys seemed to respond to it very very well. The goals were pretty much shared around, it wasn’t one person that scored all of the goals it was nice to see the goals shared around.”

Chickerell host Poole Borough on Saturday, January 26.

Chickerell: Bickerstaff, Sandeman, Miller, Cracknell, McCarthy, Ellis (James 46), Harvey, Welch, Terry (Daniels 70), Stickland, Etherington