BOSS Ollie Cherrett praised his Merley Cobham Sports players for their “effort and togetherness” after they had squeezed past Swanage Town & Herston in the first round of the League Cup.

A Matt Steer goal and Elliot Gould’s extra-time clincher saw the leaders come from behind to win 2-1 after Adam Richards had given Swans a first-half lead at Day’s Park.

Richards headed home a free-kick in the 20th minute as the hosts reached the break in the ascendancy before Merley came out after the break with all guns blazing.

And after Steer had earlier gone close with a range finder, his sublime free-kick into the top corner made it 1-1 before Gould’s solo goal settled the tie five minutes into the first half of extra-time.

Cherrett told the Daily Echo: “It was always going to be a difficult afternoon for us with five players missing, which pushed the squad to its limits.

“Swanage have been in fine form and scoring plenty of goals and their work rate was a credit to Alan Lay and his players.

“I felt we controlled the game for large parts but they were always dangerous from set-pieces and that was where they scored from.

“Our lads’ effort and togetherness were outstanding and with the quality we possess, I was always confident we could win the game.”

Merley Cobham: Perry, Elysee, Mills, Rowe, Pritchard, Wilkins, Steer (Marsh, 75), Wrixton, Atkinson (Wolfenden, 65), Cannie, Gould (Selby, 110).

  • Also in the first round of the League Cup, Duane Hobbs bagged a consolation as Wareham Rangers bowed out following a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Sherborne Town reserves.