BROADSTONE FC SENIORS 4

CHICKERELL UNITED 2

CHICKERELL United suffered their first defeat of the Dorset Senior League season with a 4-2 reverse at Broadstone FC Seniors.

In a helter-skelter opening 18 minutes, the hosts established a 3-2 lead, fighting back after Chickerell had gone 2-1 up.

After conceding first, Chickerell had battled in front through Matt Stickland and Nick Etherington.

Stickland’s goal came after the forward finished off a Clayton Heath corner, with Etherington slotting home following a break just two minutes later.

But Broadstone scored twice more before both sides struck the post, the hosts adding another in the second half against the lacklustre Chickens as Sam Darlow hit a brace and Ty Denty plus Ciaran Miller also netted.

Chickens’ boss Shaun Murphy admitted his troops had been under-par.

He said: “Not to take anything away from Broadstone, who played really well, we weren’t at the races.

“Fatal mistakes in bad areas, bad passing and decision-making in general wasn’t up to scratch.

“Broadstone are a good side but I feel we should be taking points. They played to their strengths and capitalised on a bad performance from ourselves.

“They were 3-2 up after 18 minutes, it was incredible. But the last half an hour, 20 minutes we managed to get our foot on the ball but it was too little, too late.

“We put a lot of pressure on and got behind a few times but nothing came from it.

“They were slowing the game down and taking their time, which is fair enough, they deserved their victory.”

Chickens: Purchase, Miller (James 65), Southorn, Miles, Heath (Carter 60), Ellis, Harvey, Protheroe, Sandeman, Stickland, Etherington. Sub not used: Heggie