CORFE MULLEN UNITED 3

CHICKERELL UNITED 4

A MATT Harvey strike capped a fine display from Chickerell United who came from 3-1 down with 20 minutes left on the clock to win 4-3 against Corfe Mullen United in the Dorset Senior League.

The victory strengthens the Chickens’ hold on fourth place, but AFC Blandford can overtake should they win their three games in hand.

Chickerell started the match brilliantly, pressing high and restricting Corfe Mullen to their own half.

Chances were coming and going before Nick Etherington grabbed a goal with a header at the far post.

Yet within two minutes Corfe were level.

A ball over the top caught the Chickerell defence watching the ball and they were able to lift the ball over onrushing Chickens’ goalkeeper Ian Bickerstaff to level with 11 minutes on the clock.

Chickerell were well playing up to the final third but saw efforts consistently blocked away.

After 25 minutes, Corfe won possession, broke forward and squared a ball which was fired in to hand the home side the lead.

The Chickens went in 2-1 down at half-time and the pattern of play continued.

Corfe grabbed their third with 60 minutes remaining, after the home side’s striker nipped in after a defensive mistake and slotted past Bickerstaff

The introduction of Dylan Ackerman proved a positive catalyst and created Chickerell’s second with a cutback to Matt Stickland who rifled in from near the penalty spot after 75 minutes.

The Chickens had their tails up and went in hunt of the win.

Ackerman again got a cross in, which took a deflection allowing Etherington to latch onto it and fire past the Corfe goalkeeper to equalise after 80 minutes.

Ryan Pryce missed two chances as Chickerell pressed the tiring Corfe Mullen team.

Harvey then dramatically slotted in with 88 minutes on the clock to claim all three points.

Chickerell boss Shaun Murphy said: “Definitely one of those games, with ups and downs that is for sure, some brilliance and some really bad play all round I think.

“At least we keep it interesting! We always make it exciting I think.

“We put ourselves in a situation, we should not really have been 3-1 down. Great character from the lads, definitely.”

Chickerell are next in action on April 27 when they travel to Dorchester Sports Reserves.

Chickerell: Bickerstaff, Carter. Miller, James, Heggie (Ackerman 55), Ellis, Harvey, D Welch (Pryce 75), McCarthy, Stickland, Etherington

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