SWANAGE TN & HERSTON 1

Chickerell UNITED 0

MAURICE Welch was determined to focus on the positives following his side’s single-goal defeat at Swanage Town & Herston.

The Chickerell United boss was without several key players for the trip to Days Park and had to rely on youth, and they battled well despite the final outcome.

Welch told Echosport: “It was disappointing to lose the game because we did have chances to win it ourselves.

“In fact, we could have been three up in the first 20 minutes with Josh Why missing three one-on-ones.

“The keeper made a couple of great saves to deny two of his efforts while the other one went off target, so we could have easily got in front and finished the game off there and then.

“After that we huffed and puffed but neither side created many chances and at the break it remained 0-0.

“Without the likes of Scott Henley and Dan Welch, we did not have much height in the team and that was always a worry from the outset.

“They had a big lad (Jamie Beale) up front and they kept knocking the ball up to him and midway through the second half he got on the end of a corner to put them in front.

“A couple of our lads jumped with him but he was just too big and strong, and to be honest it was the only real chance they had.

“However, we did not create much either in the second half and then for the final 10 minutes we had to play with 10 men after Zac Falcus picked up a second booking for a foul.

“His first yellow card seemed harsh while the second was a tackle he had to make so he was a bit unlucky.

“I was also just about to take him off and bring on Jamie Welch at the time as well, which made it even more unfortunate.”

Welch went on to add: “The fact we lost was obviously frustrating but we are looking to rebuild for next season now and it was a good experience for some of the youngsters and a learning curve for them.

“At one stage we had seven teenagers on the pitch and there were some good performances.

“Steve Welch put in another great display and Che Curran stepped up and done well on his debut at the age of just 17, so there are a lot of good signs for the future.”

Chickerell have now lost three of their last five in the Magna Dorset Premier League where they currently lie sixth.

Chickens: Weeks, Peck, Curran, Welch, Lambert, Miles, Sibley, Preece, Falcus, Why, Jo Welch (Walker 60). Sub not used: Ja Welch.