DORCHESTER SPTS RES 0

CHICKERELL UNITED 2

CHICKERELL United manager Shaun Murphy praised the Chickens’ first-half display as “absolutely brilliant” after his side beat Dorchester Sports Reserves 2-0 at Weymouth College in the Dorset Senior League.

Goals from Steve Welch and teenager Matt Stickland gave Chickerell their sixth win in seven games, consolidating their second place in the standings behind leaders Corfe Castle.

Speaking to Echosport, Murphy felt the Chickens were the “better side all over the park”.

He said: “It was a very good game. The wind was horrendous, but first half we were absolutely brilliant – we started really well.

“To be honest, we outplayed them, we were the better side all over the park.

“Steve had a chance which he missed but he then got a second chance which he put away.

“Matt got the second goal. He’s only 17 and he’s a very good player.

“He rattled the crossbar just before he scored with his head from a cross from Steve to put us 2-0 up.”

Murphy nonetheless praised Sports, but admitted they lacked a “cutting edge” in the final third.

He said: “They passed the ball around quite well but they didn’t threaten us. They just needed a cutting edge up front.”

Chickerell went into the game with a two-week break and Murphy believed the lay-off “hindered” his team’s finishing.

He said: “I think it maybe hindered us a little bit because we seemed a bit rusty in front of goal.

“We’ve hit the bar a couple of times and the post a couple of times, but if we weren’t creating chances I’d be more concerned.”

Chickens: Bickerstaff, Collins (Miller 70), Miles, Rogers, Sandeman, Dewey (Ryan 65), Etherington, Harvey, Heath (James 75), Stickland, Welch