CHICKERELL chief Steve Coward insists his side will not be taking fourth-placed Piddletrenthide Spartans lightly when the sides do battle at the Stalls tomorrow (2pm).

The last time the two teams tussled, the Chickens’ boss saw his side run out 4-2 winners at Puddletown Rec thanks to a Steve Welch hat-trick and a strike from Warren White.

Dan Welch is expected to be unavailable for the encounter, but Josh Burton could make his return for the home side.

Commenting on the Spartans, Coward said: “They are a tough side, one minute you see they have dropped points and the next minute they are getting results against the top half of the table.

“If you have a bunch of lads that are willing to scrap games out you are halfway there. Our pitch isn’t the best at this time of year, we know that, but we have a good side and a good squad for it.

“We have had a tough four or five weeks and this won’t be an easy game.”

Chickerell could go top of the league this weekend if Marco Nott’s Balti House slip up at home to third-placed South Cheriton United (2pm).

Nott was delighted with the way his men played during their 5-0 defeat of Dorchester Sports last time out, while he took heart from the fact tomorrow’s opponents dropped points against Gilling-ham.

And while Phil Anderson and Jason Pearce are both unavailable for the visit of South Cheriton, Grant Chance, Ross Walker and Scott Walker all return to the squad.

On top of that, Nott has snapped up former Upwey and Broadwey midfielder Lewis Ironside and he is set to be involved in the clash at Cranford Avenue.

“If we play like we did last Saturday then there is no reason why we can’t go on and have a really good season,” said Nott.

“We are getting that consistency in our performance and keeping it at a high standard. The Sports game was the best we’ve played and we would have beaten anyone that day.”

Portland United Reserves, beaten 6-3 at Witchampton United last time out, host Gillingham Reserves at Grove Corner (2pm).