CHARD Town host Bridgwater Town tomorrow (July 29, ko 3pm) in what is their final pre-season friendly ahead of the big kick-off next weekend.

Bridgwater Town will play in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division next season (one division above Chard) following relegation from Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West, and they are also known as the Robins.

The following Saturday (August 5, ko 3pm) sees Chard open their Western League First Division campaign for 2017/18, at home to Warminster Town.

Paul Down's side won their latest friendly, on Tuesday against Somerset County League side Staplegrove.

Visitors Grove took the lead through Oli Johnson, after a defensive mix-up, but it was 1-1 at half time thanks to James Boyland, who converted Stephen Friend's pull-back.

Boyland then set up Chard's second, rounding the keeper and setting up Ben Haines to finish, but within a minute Grove were level, Dave Ryan firing into the bottom corner.

Undeterred, the hosts dominated the rest of the match and, after a few missed chances, Boyland found the net from Liam Cleal's cross.

Boyland was denied a hat-trick by the post, but Cleal ensured the game would finish 4-2, scoring from a tight angle after a centre from Haines.

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ILMINSTER Town play their final two friendlies on Tuesday (August 1) and Saturday (August 5) next week, following a 6-0 loss at Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Division 1 East side Axminster Town on Tuesday night.

The match was 0-0 at half time, but the hosts filled their boots after the break as the Blues – who were missing Josh Parsons, Paul Nicholls and Chris Nezianya – tired.

This coming Tuesday, they host Westland Sports, before travelling to Gillingham Town four days later.

They begin life back in the Somerset County League Premier Division on Saturday, August 12, with a trip to Odd Down (Bath) Reserves (ko 3pm).

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AS for Ilminster Town Ladies, they won their latest friendly 9-1 against Pen Mill Ladies on Wednesday night.

Manager Craig Stuckey said it was a good team performance, while giving extra praise to Shannon Crouch (who scored five goals – making it eight in pre-season for last year's top scorer), as well as new player Colette Martin and creative midfielder Maisie Poole, both of whom also scored, with Shakira Howard grabbing the other two goals.

As for how his side are progressing, Stuckey added: "I'm quite happy, and if we can get a couple more players back [from holiday and work commitments] we'll have a very strong squad."

Further friendlies - both away from home - follow against Weston-super-Mare (Thursday, August 10) and Portishead (Wednesday, August 23), with more to be confirmed.

They have gained promotion to the South West Women's Football League Premier Division for this season, and Stuckey is looking for his young squad to consolidate their position.

"I want us to get comfortable playing at that level of football," he said.

"I'd like us to be pushing up the table, and [to achieve] cup success."