Axminster Hospital Cup semi-final
Chard Town 6, Alphington 1

THE Robins eased past the opposition on Wednesday night to set themselves up for the cup final on Friday, May 5 against Budleigh Salterton at Axminster Town's ground, writes Rod Harrington.

Alphington ply their trade in the South West Peninsula League, officially a step below the First Division of the Western League.

It turned out be a very open and entertaining encounter with Chard, at times, finding acres of space in which to operate and equally the visitors putting together some co-ordinated moves which gave the hosts' defence plenty to think about, particularly in the second half.

Loose defending by the visitors after only three minutes enabled Steve Friend to open the scoring and with Chard dominating it was half an hour before Alphington posed any threat to Stuart Parris in the Chard goal.

Then three goals immediately before and after the interval put the result beyond doubt.

First James Boyland on 43 minutes needed only to tap the ball in after good work by Steve Friend.

Then, two minutes into the second half, Friend executed a superb cross for Boyland to head into the net unmarked.

And merely a minute later Brad Miles and Max Westlake combined for the latter to fire into the net.

On 79 minutes Taoufik Ben Salem lofted the ball over the keeper for the fifth goal.

However, the visitors deservedly got on the scoresheet in the 89th minute with Ryan Moody netting to give them some consolation, but the Robins rubbed salt in their wounds when play swung to the other end and substitute Matt Howell nipped in to pounce on a poor back pass to score.

Chard Town: Stuart Parris, Dave Duarte, Ryan Mason, Andrew Holmes (Shaun Wells-Burr 77), Kieran Bailey, Luke Jackson (Matt Howell 80), Max Westlake, Brad Miles, Taoufik Ben Salem, Steve Friend (Scott Jakeman 74), James Boyland. Sub not used: Jake Wolfe.