Chickerell UNITED 2

SHERBORNE TOWN RESERVES 1

LIAM Miles played a starring role as Chickerell United overcame basement boys Sherborne Town Reserves at Cranford Avenue.

The all-action midfielder, who was handed the captaincy for the game, smashed home a 30-yarder in a man-of-the-match display as the Chickens came back from a goal down to end a run of three games without a win.

United boss Maurice Welch, whose side sit sixth in the Magna Dorset Premier League, said: “Sherborne are not the best side in the league but they have improved a lot since earlier in the season and their results of late have reflected that, so they were never going to be a pushover.

“We kept the ball well in the opening 15 minutes and were camped in their half but we were unable to get in front and got caught out by another long ball, which we failed to deal with.

“We didn’t panic though and on the half-hour we equalised through a fantastic strike from Liam.

“Stewart Walbridge then put us in front with a tap-in after a fine move involving Jamie Sibley and we should have gone on from there to make it a lot more comfortable.

“However, we did not have much luck in front of goal again and could not get that decisive third in the second half.

“Had we got it I think we would have relaxed and gone on to grab a couple more but while the lead was only one there was always that danger Sherborne might get a break and get back in it.

“Ashley Weeks made some good saves and they did have a couple of shouts for a penalty but in the end we saw it through and overall I was happy.”

Going on to comment on individual performances, Welch added: “Liam skippered the side and had probably his best ever game for the club.

“He won everything and never gave the ball away, and his equaliser was fantastic. He really did look the part.

“Stewy also did well alongside him and I thought Jamie and Nick Etherington were excellent up front and deserved a lot more for their efforts.

“They just could not handle those four players and on another day Jamie would have had a hat-trick and maybe even more.

“A lot of it just came down to luck with either the keeper making a fine save or a player getting in a last-ditch block.

“Nick was also a bit unfortunate not to score but there is certainly nothing wrong with his or Jamie’s form.

“I also thought the younger ones in the team did well and although there is still a bit of work to do at the back, the more minutes they get under their belts at this level, the quicker they are going to develop and improve.

“To pick up the points and put on such an encouraging showing with the players we had out was very pleasing and hopefully now we can build on that again next Saturday at Cranborne.”

Lee Clarke was the man on target for Sherborne who have now claimed just eight points from 29 games.

Chickens: A Weeks, S Welch, Curren, D Welch, Lambert, Robinson, Miles, Walbridge, Ja Welch (Roberts 65), Sibley, Etherington. Sub not used: Shaw.