CHARD A recorded a 6-0 victory over PGSOB C in South East 2 of the Davis Wood league on Saturday.

It was as comprehensive a victory as the score line suggests and, had it not been for the heroics of the visitors’ keeper, Chard would easily have reached double figures.

After their trip from Plymouth, PGSOB were still familiarising themselves with their surroundings and coming to terms with playing into a low sun, when Chard sprinted into a three goal lead within the first quarter hour.

James Spurdle opened the scoring, being given time and room to pick his spot when collecting a cross from the left wing.

Alex Gurd then poached a second before Spurdle added his second.

Dan Stone appeared to be in a dead end against the back line of the visitors’ D but kept his composure to pull the ball back and create space to slip a pass to Spurdle who fired a shot into the roof of the net.

Chard were thwarted in their efforts to add to their tally for much of the remainder of the first half as PGSOB’s keeper produced a series of fine saves and Chard allowed their early passing approach to slip, replaced by more individualistic hockey.

Just before half time, the impressive Max Beale put Chard four up, scoring on the rebound after his initial shot was saved.

Chard’s defence and keeper Jon Stone, who was celebrating his 40th birthday, were largely untroubled in the first 35 minutes but had to work harder in the early stages of the second half as the visitors got their attack on track.

Any concerns of a fightback were allayed when George Retter was rewarded for his prodigious efforts, striking a sweet shot home from one of Chard’s many penalty corners.

The goal tally stalled at five until the final four minutes when Beale added his second with a blistering shot from just inside the D, appropriate reward for his increasingly effective raiding down the right flank as Chard saw out the final minutes as much in control as they had been at the start of the match.