CHARD Town play their last game of the season on Friday (May 5) in the final of the Axminster Hospital Cup, where they face SW Peninsular Division 1 East side Budleigh Salterton at Tiger Way – Axminster Town’s ground – in a 7.30pm kick-off, writes Colin Dunford.

Budleigh took a point from their last league fixture on Saturday to escape relegation, while Chard finished their league campaign in a creditable 10th place. 

Chard have already beaten two Peninsula League clubs to reach the final, defeating the holders Axminster 4-2 in the quarter-finals and Alphington 6-1 in last week’s semi-final.

Chard manager Paul Down described Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Warminster as “not a vintage display, but one where we showed great determination to prevail”. 

He added: “We finish in a very respectable 10th position and go into Friday [the cup final] in good heart.”

Striker Steve Friend, who missed the Warminster game with a tight hamstring, is rated at no more than 50/50 to play in the final, while Jake Wolfe (who picked up a toe injury on Saturday) is very doubtful. 

Veteran goalkeeper Stu Parris is available and will continue to deputise for the suspended Jon Hill.