GoCrea8 Southern 2
Chard 2, Plymouth Uni A 2

CHARD knew that this was going to be a testing encounter against their toughest opposition in the division, but they did enough to secure promotion.

Plymouth started and Chard put their pressing game to good use, forcing the visitors backwards and soon gaining possession in dangerous areas.

It was exciting and end-to-end stuff, with Plymouth threatening on the counter-attack, but Chard broke the deadlock with a great goal from Nathan Johnson.

Plymouth equalised just before the half-time interval, but Chard scored soon after the restart courtesy of a good passing move between Johnson and Mike Wakley, with Johnson sweeping into the goal to put his side ahead again.

However, Plymouth soon replied to make it 2-2 and, despite both sides continuing to attack, Chard could not find that elusive winning goal.

However, the result keeps them four points ahead of their opponents with one game remaining – league leaders Chard and second-placed Penzance now have 51 points.

Therefore Chard have secured promotion for the second year running, and travel to PGSOB A, who currently lie ninth in the table, this coming Saturday (March 25) – a win would see them crowned champions.

Chard also maintained their remarkable home unbeaten run - not losing a match on their own turf in two seasons.

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GoCrea8 South East 2
East Devon C 1, Chard B 2

CHARD B put in their best performance of the year as they beat East Devon with 10 players.

The home team, fielding a number of older youth players, looked like they would run Chard’s midfield ragged, but with a well organised defence and hard work throughout the team their chances on goal were limited.

Chard’s attack was more opportunistic, with George Bromfield having a good first half debut.

The deadlock was broken when Kevin Mooney charged from defence and evaded the tackles before neatly squaring for Alfie Crump to score.

Chard continued to weather the attacks from East Devon and were then awarded a penalty corner for a foul outside the D, from which Duncan Lewis doubled the lead.

The home side could not pierce the organised back line, with Ryan Lewis seemingly everywhere in his tackling as Chard remained in control, and Crump came close to a third after great play by Bradley Willis.

Chard knew the second half would be tough, as the hosts’ larger squad started to have a telling impact.

However, Chard’s more experienced back line held firm and when called into action Bradley Williams was in the right place.

East Devon pulled one back with 15 minutes to go, but Chard were positive in seeking a third goal, with Crump causing problems up front and winning fouls to slow the game down.

The home side had three penalty corners in the dying minutes but the visiting defence stood firm to ensure Chard came away with a famous victory.

Chard team: Williams, Swann, Dare, Mooney, Lewis (D), Lewis (R), Willis, Bromfield, Crump, Cheffey.

***

THE win for Chard B saw them move six points behind Chard A in the South East 2 standings, as the third-placed side were beaten 5-1 by league leaders University of Exeter F on Saturday.

The pace-setters are the opposition for Chard B’s final league outing of the season this coming Saturday, while Chard A also finish the campaign at home, against Taunton Vale D, who are eighth.