BLANDFORD UTD 2

CHICKERELL UTD 3

CHICKERELL United overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Blandford United Reserves 3-2 in the first round of the Dorset Senior Trophy.

A second-half brace from Ashley Smith and a single from Nick Etherington saw the Chickens progress after finding themselves two down at the break.

Assistant manager Maurice Welch was delighted with the comeback. He said: "All the boys did well after giving ourselves a mountain to climb. Special mention in particular goes to James Turrell, who I thought had an excellent game.

"To go 2-0 down and still win the match is very pleasing. We are playing some good football at the moment and creating plenty of chances, perhaps we need to start putting more of them away, however, I would be more worried if we weren't creating the opportunities in the first place."

The hosts raced into a two-nil lead with just a quarter-of-an-hour played. Two set pieces, and poor marking from midfield, saw Blandford net twice to give the visitors an uphill task.

Chickerell missed chances to reduce the arrears and found themselves still behind by two going into the break.

But the away side came out all guns blazing in the second half looking the likelier team to score, and on the hour Smith rose highest to nod the Chickens back in contention.

Then, just five minutes later, they were back on level terms as Etherington's edge of the box shot found the back of Blandford's net.

The comeback was complete with 10 minutes left on the clock as Smith grabbed his second with a scrambled effort.

The visitors were in command and saw further chances go begging as well as an effort disallowed, and one that struck the woodwork.

Chickens: A Weeks, M Coombes, Watts, Miles, Smith, Etherington, Hall, Turrell, Coltart, Reeve, Dench. Subs: Hoffman, Biles, L Weeks.