BOSS Ollie Cherrett hailed the fighting spirit of Merley Cobham Sports after they twice fought back from a goal down to secure a 3-3 draw at Westland Sports.

Despite dominating early on in Somerset, Merley found themselves up against it after the break and a brace from Elliott Goward prevented a second league defeat of the season.

The result meant Merley lost ground on Dorset Premier League leaders Hamworthy Recreation but Cherrett was pleased to salvage a point.

He told the Daily Echo: “We should have been 4-0 up in the first 20 minutes because we had three on-on-ones and an unchallenged header from a corner. We got 1-0 up but then missed a few chances and allowed them back into it. They got their equaliser and it became a very difficult game for us.

“The lads aren’t playing as well as they were at the beginning of the season but it’s a credit to them that they don’t know when they are beaten and are still grinding out results. If you want to compete for titles then you have to score goals late on to win games and get draws when everyone thinks you are dead and buried.”

Merley forged ahead in the eighth minute when a poor clearance found Matty Steer and he rifled into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

The hosts’ Szymon Matuszewski fired a warning when he thumped off the bar from range before Will Ireland headed home the equaliser.

After the break, Goward rattled the woodwork and Westland went in front when Matuszewski directed a diving header into the net.

Back came Merley through substitute Leo Hayward, but Goward had the last laugh when his drive from the edge of the box flew into the far corner.

Cherrett, who was recently interviewed for the Hamworthy United job before Stewart Kearn was appointed, added: “It’s been a difficult few weeks for the club, if I’m honest.

“It was unsettling for the players and the committee but now myself and Chris have committed our future for the rest of the season and we are going to try and do well.”

Merley Cobham Sports: Perry, Rixton, Mills, Dand, Cormack, Wilkins (Wolfenden, 80), Steer, Atkinson (Rowe, 70), Phillips, Cannie, Goward (Weeden, 80).