PARLEY SPORTS 0

Chickerell UNITED 3

MAURICE Welch was quick to praise goalkeeper Ashley Weeks after he produced a sublime display to help Chickerell United claim a 3-0 victory at Parley Sports in the Magna Dorset Premier League.

The scoreline suggests the Chickens enjoyed a very comfortable afternoon in Ferndown but it was far from it with the visiting stopper pulling off a trio of fine saves to ensure his side came away with a hard-earned three points.

Manager Welch said: “The boys played really well and it was a very good game of football.

“Parley knocked it around well and had more of the possession but just could not break us down.

“We remained disciplined throughout and managed to pick them off in the end to claim a very good result because believe you me a lot of teams will go down there this season and come unstuck.”

The United boss went on to add: “We battled hard without too many outstanding performances. Steve Welch and Stewart Walbridge both deserved their goals and Warren White was excellent up front again.

“Liam Miles also worked hard in the middle and covered loads of ground but it was actually Ashley that was man of the match.

“Not only did he stop a penalty but he also saved a one-on-one and pushed another effort around a post at a very important stage of the game so as you can see we certainly did not have it all our own way.”

Chickerell took the lead on 35 minutes when Walbridge cut inside and unleashed a wonderful right-footed strike past the home keeper.

Weeks then made a superb stop at the other end before Steve Welch doubled the lead with a stunning volley from 20 yards after team-mate Nick Etherington had squandered a good opening, just moments earlier.

A high tackle from a pumped up Jon Welch then resulted in a booking with the visiting boss opting to pull him off shortly afterwards in the fear that he might see red.

Parley were refusing to relent and in the 75th minute a bizarre spot-kick decision gave them the ideal opportunity to level but once again Weeks came to the rescue.

Chickerell then went on to wrap up the success with a penalty of their own on 88 minutes when White converted from 12 yards after having been hauled down in the box.

Maurice Welch, whose side have now won their last five on the spin, said: “No one was quite sure what their penalty was given for.

“It was either for a foul by Warren or a handball by Ben Skelton but even their manager said it should never have been given.

“However, justice was done in the end and the whole team deserves a lot of credit.

“We were very good across the back again and hopefully we can now follow up this performance with a similar one at home against Hamworthy United Reserves next Saturday.”

Chickens: Weeks, S Welch, Henley, Barrow, D Welch, B Skelton, Miles, J Welch (Peck 73), Walbridge, Etherington (Houghton 80), White.