Axminster Hospital Cup - Quarter Final
Chard Town 4, Axminster Town 2

THE Robins eased into the semi-finals of the Axminster Hospital Cup in this entertaining local derby, gaining some revenge for last year's defeat against the same opposition the final. 

Extra spice was added with the recent appointment of Jon Hurford as the visitors' manager and the connections with Chard of a number of the visiting squad.

Chard turned the screw early on with a headed goal on six minutes by Scott Jakeman after good work by James Boyland. 

Just four minutes later Boyland himself increased the lead when he planted an exquisite lob over Scott Wells-Burr into the Axminster net. 

The Robins were dominant and Scott Martin added a third on 27 minutes before Kieran Bailey snapped up a fourth goal a minute before the break with a close range header.

In the second half Chard, with the job seemingly done, appeared to take their foot off the pedal and the Tigers were able to engineer the seeds of of a spirited comeback. 

The visitors were now much more of a threat and Bailey was very unlucky on 61 minutes when he headed into his own net attempting to send a Luke Finn cross out for a corner. 

After much pressure Axminster reduced the arrears further seven minutes from the final whistle when Aaron Daniels lofted a fine shot high over Stuart Parris. 

The Robins, however, remained in charge with little further threat to their advantage.

The club would like to thank Brian Lee of Taunton for refereeing the game at very short notice.

Chard Town: Stuart Parris, Dave Duarte, Ryan Mason, Andrew Holmes, (Jack Dicker), Kieran Bailey (Luke Jackson), Matt Howell, Scott Jakeman, Brad Miles, Scott Martin, Taoufik Ben Salem (Jake Wolfe), James Boyland. Subs not used - Steve Friend, Jon Hill.