IAN Bickerstaff pulled off a remarkable penalty save in added time to secure Chickerell an opening day 2-1 victory in the Dorset Premier League at Weymouth College.

The former Weymouth Sports stopper dived full-length to his right and with a strong hand palmed Ollie Wareham’s powerfully struck spot-kick wide of the post.

Bickerstaff was then instantly mobbed by his team-mates as the referee blew for full-time after adding on seven minutes of injury time.

Prior to that dramatic finale, Rob Maxted and Aaron Williams both netted in the second period after Joe Wells had put the Royals into the lead on the cusp of half-time.

Terry Oldrid, who took charge of the Chickens in the absence of Chris Wilson, said: “The dressing room was quiet at the break because we knew we were the better team.

“The goal we conceded came from a sloppy pass out of defence so we were disappointed with that but we did not let our heads drop and in the second half showed tremendous character.

The Chickens have had to almost rebuild their entire side following the success of last season when they finished runners-up.

Brendon King’s summer departure from the hot-seat saw him take several players to Weymouth Reserves, with many others crossing over to local rivals Portland United.

But thanks to Wilson, the Chickens have managed to bring in a whole host of fresh faces and although many of them still have a lot to learn at this level, their character and work-rate cannot be questioned.

Craig Roper, one of the few that have remained at the club, went close with the opening chance of the game on 12 minutes. The roaming midfielder got on the end of Maxted’s excellent free-kick but his stooping header was superbly pushed wide by Blandford keeper Shane Hannam.

Towering centre-back Saul Boulton then had a tame shot on the turn comfortably gathered by Bickerstaff at the other end on 29 minutes before Wells eventually broke the deadlock seconds before the interval.

A misdirected ball out landed at the feet of Ollie Morris and when he slid a pass in behind the Chickerell defence, Wells broke the offside trap and applied a cool finish to beat the onrushing Bickerstaff.

It was a cruel blow for the hosts but with rain pouring down at the start of the second half they soon bounced back.

Reverting from a 4-5-1 system to 4-4-2, Ben Skelton latched on to a ball from Oldrid and supplied a pinpoint cross, which his strike partner Maxted volleyed home with aplomb on 51 minutes.

Suddenly, the Chickens were in full control and after Antony Carlile curled an effort over the top from 25 yards and Adam Skelton volleyed over from a corner, they took a deserved lead.

Impressive right-back Scott Oliver produced the cross and when the ball dropped out of the air at the far post there was Williams climbing highest to head home what proved to be the winner.

The Royals huffed and puffed in the later stages but it was not until Burton’s slip that they got a chance to level, which Wareham squandered thanks to Bickerstaff’s heroics.

Without question the Chickens still require more strength in depth and a little extra quality in certain areas but if they continue to display this type of spirit and endeavour they should do just fine.

Chickens: Bickerstaff, Burton, Williams, Oliver, Oldrid, A Skelton, B Skelton, Roper, Kenderdine (Robinson 90), Carlile (Wal-bridge 90), Maxted. Subs not used: Bennett.