CHARD Town play their final two pre-season friendlies at Zembard Lane this week, as the new season draws ever closer, writes Colin Dunford.

Last Friday, Chard gave a disappointing performance in losing 2-0 at home to Dorset club Mere Town.

Despite having more of the possession and chances, Chard failed to score and did not really test the visitors’ goalkeeper.

Playing for the visitors were the Chard manager’s son, Ryan Down, while Scott Martin – who was with Chard last season – netted the second Mere goal.

Chard host Somerset County League side Staplegrove tonight (ko 7.30pm), and then entertain Western League Premier Division team Bridgwater Town on Saturday, July 29 (ko 3pm).

Chard Reserves, beaten 2-0 at Bridport last Thursday in another good workout involving a squad of 17 players, are away to Upottery on Thursday night (July 27, ko 6.30pm).

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CHARD have two home games to start this season’s Toolstation Western League fixtures, announced last week.

On Saturday, August 5 they entertain Warminster Town (the sides met in the final match last April, with Chard winning 3-2) and then the following Wednesday (August 9), Paul Down’s old club, Wincanton, are the visitors.

In other holiday matches, Chard are at home twice over Christmas, with Bishops Lydeard their Boxing Day opponents and Malmesbury Victoria the visitors on Saturday, December 30.

Then, over Easter, on Good Friday (March 30) Chard play the reverse fixture with Bishops Lydeard while, on Easter Monday (April 2), Chard host Almondsbury UWE.

While the league fixtures might have been kind to Chard, the cup draws have not.

After the first team were drawn away to Roman Glass St George in the Western League Cup, Chard have now been drawn away to Western Premier Division side Shepton Mallet in the Somerset Premier Cup.

Those matches are due to be played in the week commencing October 9.

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ILMINSTER Town begin life back in the Somerset County League top flight on the road, as the newly-promoted side go to Odd Down (Bath) Reserves on Saturday, August 12 (ko 3pm).

The Blues have another away match on Tuesday, August 15 (ko 6.30pm), at Clutton, before hosting Wrington Redhill on Saturday, August 19 (ko 3pm).

They round out the month with a home match against local rivals Staplegrove (August 23, ko 6.30pm) and an away game with Fry Club (August 26, ko 3pm).

The Blues’ pre-season continues tonight with a game away to Axminster Town, and their remaining friendlies are at home to Westland Sports (Tuesday, August 1) and away to Gillingham Town (Saturday, August 5).

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ILMINSTER Ladies play Pen Mill Ladies in a friendly tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Archie Gooch Pavilion (ko 7pm).

Their match at Callington LFC on Sunday was postponed due to a medical incident in the second half.

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COMBE St Nicholas play their first Somerset County League Division 1 West match in August at home to Street Reserves on August 12 (ko 3pm).

Combe, who finished 12th out of 13 teams last season, continue with two away matches, versus Glastonbury on Wednesday, August 16 (ko 7.30pm) and Burnham United on August 19 (ko 3pm).

They complete the month with a pair of home games, against Minehead (August 22, ko 6.30pm) and Winscombe (August 26, ko 3pm).