MIDFIELD playmaker Andy Martin should be fit to return from a hamstring injury when Chard entertain Corsham Town at Zembard Lane on Saturday (3pm).

Things are looking up for Adam Fricker and his men at the moment following a satisfying 3-0 victory at Cheddar last weekend.

Not only was Fricker pleased with the three points, he was also delighted to see the experienced and vocal left back Darren Hutchings last the full 90 minutes as he returns from a hernia operation.

Fricker said: “The scoreline suggest it was easy but it was any but.

“We took our chances well and Jason Hutchings made four or vital saves to keep us in front.

“Sam Clark and Ed Butcher are forging a good partnership up front.

“Ed is not a natural finisher like Sam but he has a lot of raw talent and has improved a lot since he’s been with us.”

On a heavy pitch, Chard took their chances well against a Cheddar side who themselves created a number of scoring chances but could not find the visitors net.

The opening stages of the match found Cheddar on the attack, winning several corners and free kicks but it was Chard with their first attacking move that opened the scoring after 15 minutes.

A great through ball from Clark found Butcher who coolly beat the home ‘keeper with a shot just inside the far post.

A further attack saw Chard just wide of the target with a shot from a cross from a corner.

Cheddar pushed hard to retrieve the situation, winning several corners and getting in a shot which cannoned off a defender for a corner.

A further powerful shot from the home side was palmed away by Hutchings on 37 minutes to keep Chard in the game.

Just on the half-time break Butcher fired into the side netting.

Early in the second half Cheddar piled into the attack. A shot went just wide Hutchings made a great save, and efforts wide or over the bar.

But Chard got more into the game and looked dangerous on the break.

A Clark effort was just wide on the hour mark and he put through another ball to Butcher whose shot looked to be crossing the goal-line only to bobble away past the post.

A double substitution brought on Shaun Wells-Burr for Jamie Underwood and Max Westlake for Oscar Latas.

Chard continued to push to increase their slender lead and a penalty was awarded on 76 minutes. Clark made no mistake with the spot kick to put Chard two goals up while the home defender receiving a red card for the ‘last man’ foul.

Some four minutes later Butcher was through the home defence but was brought down just outside the area.

Clark stepped up to fire home the free kick with a swerving shot past the home ‘keeper for a third goal and secure the three points.

Chard: Jason Hutchings, Leigh Bailey, Darren Hutchings, Nathan Warren, Ben Haines, Jamie Underwood (Shaun Wells-Burr 72mins), George Chlopecki, Louis Gillman, Sam Clark, Ed Butcher, Oscar Latas (Max Westlake 76mins). Subs not used: Andy Martin and Adam Fricker.