Chickens foil Bulls (From This is Hampshire)

Chickens foil Bulls

5:00pm Monday 4th February 2013 in Hampshire Sport By Adam Summers

CHICKERELL UNITED 1

HOLT UNITED 1

MAURICE Welch was left with mixed feelings following Chickerell United’s 1-1 draw with title-chasing Holt United at Weymouth College.

The high-flying Bulls had the better chances but the hosts also missed a penalty in a game that was a great advert for the Magna Dorset Premier League.

Chickerell boss Welch told Echosport: “It was a very good game and I thought the referee was excellent.

“They had the better of the first half and more of the chances throughout, but we defended doggedly and managed to keep the deficit down to just one at half-time, which I think they were a little disappointed with.

“The pitch was heavy and there was a strong breeze, and the truth is they adapted to the conditions quicker than we did.

“They were very dangerous from set-pieces and caused us quite a few problems but once we got back level in the second half we really started to play.

“We then missed a penalty which lifted them again but we managed to hold on with Steve Boore pulling off a couple of superb stops to keep them out.

“We then had a couple of chances right at the death to nick it but couldn’t quite take them.

“In the end I was pleased with the draw but when you miss a penalty in a game like that you always come away feeling you could have had more.

“Having said that though, that would have probably been an injustice on Holt, who are one of the best sides we have played this season.”

The Bulls took the lead on 22 minutes when Chickerell switch-ed off at a quick throw-in and paid the price when Sean Gallag-her turned in the resulting cross from close range.

At that stage it looked like the visitors would go on to take control but Welch’s men stood strong to stay in the game.

Holt then began the second half how they ended the first but when Josh Why got in behind them and equalised by the rounding the keeper it gave the Chickens a huge lift.

Suddenly it was now the hosts that were looking the more threatening side and when Steve Welch was hauled down in the box it handed them the perfect opportunity to take the lead.

Nick Etherington is normally ruthless from 12 yards but on this occasion he was denied by a stunning save which turned the tables once again.

Having dodged that bullet, Holt immediately went for the jugular again but they found Boore in inspired form as he pulled off several excellent stops to set up a nervy last 10 minutes.

Both sides squandered chances to win it, with Why and Ether-ington both going close for the Chickens, before the referee finally brought an end to what had been a marvellous spect- acle.

The result leaves Chickerell in fifth place while Holt remain second, two points adrift of Portland United, having played two games more.

Chickens: Boore, Butcher (Lambert 80), Burton, D Welch, S Welch, Etherington, Stewart, Miles (Sibley 80), Churchill, Tennant, Why. Subs not used: Pattison.