CHICKERELL United manager Shaun Murphy labelled his unbeaten side’s 8-2 Dorset Senior League win over Poole Borough as “phenomenal”.

The Chickens flew out of the starting blocks, racing into a 4-0 lead after just 20 minutes courtesy of goals from Steve Welch, James Handsford, Nick Etherington and Matt Stickland, before going into half-time 5-2 up.

Welch completed his hat-trick after the break, Stickland added his second and Neil Dewey got the eighth to complete the rout.

Speaking to Echosport, Murphy praised the Chickens’ commitment as “brilliant”.

He said: “We started very quickly and were 4-0 up after 20 minutes.

“After going 4-0 up they got one back, it took a bit of a deflection, nothing the keeper could do about it. Steve got his second goal and then they went 5-2, their second was a free-kick.

“It was quite a hard team talk, there wasn’t much I could say. Their effort was phenomenal, the commitment they have put in so far has been brilliant.

“Then Steve got his third, Matt got another one and Neil got the last. I think the boys are getting their rewards from their effort. They are all playing for each other and seem to be really enjoying it.”

The result continues Chickerell’s 100 per cent start after three games and are second on goal difference to Westland Sports Reserves, who beat Wincanton Town Reserves 7-1.

Chickens: Bickerstaff, Collins (James 70), Rogers, Miles, Richards, Handsford, Etherington, Harvey, Dewey (Bill 75), Welch (Hillier 60), Stickland.