ALLENDALE 2

CHICKERELL UNITED 2

CHICKERELL United were pegged back to a disappointing 2-2 draw by Allendale in the Dorset Senior League, despite having led 2-0 after goals from Nick Voss and Matt Stickland.

The Chickens started strongly and immediately began about setting the pace through their attacks, bolstered by the return of last year’s top scorer Stickland from injury.

A couple of early one-on-ones provoked the Allendale goalkeeper into rushing out and saving from Voss and Nick Etherington.

Allendale also hit the bar and the post in a frantic and open first half.
The first goal saw Voss keep up his scoring record, despite being out on the wing due to Stickland’s return, to slot in after 25 minutes.

The Chickens made their dominance count as the ball was slipped through to Stickland who was one-on-one with the Allendale keeper.

However, taking note of the earlier chances he opted to slip the ball round the keeper before firing in.

The Chickens went in at half-time 2-0 up but the second half would prove to be a very different affair.

The visitors began overcomplicating play and soon paid the price as an Allendale player brought the ball down before slamming a superb shot past Ian Bickerstaff in the Chickerell goal after 65 minutes.

Allendale had their heads up and began chasing the point. After 75 minutes, Allendale had what they wanted, when they got down the left-hand side and a cross was whipped in and fired past Bickerstaff for the equaliser.

Chickerell then had a penalty with five minutes to go when Matt Harvey was fouled in the box.

However, Dan Welch sent the goalkeeper the wrong way but put the ball wide.

Referring to their first half performance, Chickerell manager Shaun Murphy said: “In the first half at times we were very good we played some really good football.” We were 2-0 up so to finish 2-2 and to miss a penalty at the end also, it was definitely two points dropped.”

Chickerell host Holt United in the first round of the Dorset Senior Cup on Saturday (2.30pm).

Chickerell: Bickerstaff, James (McCarthy 25), Daniels, Rogers, Miller, Ellis, Welch, Harvey, Voss (Sandeman 70), Stickland, Etherington