Toolstation Western League
First Division
Chard Town 1, Ashton & Backwell United 1

CHARD Town got one of their many end-of-season fixtures out of the way on Thursday night, with their Zembard Lane pitch recovering from the rain in time for the Robins to play out a 1-1 draw with strugglers Ashton & Backwell United.

The visitors are down in 19th place and battling against relegation, but they took the lead on the half-hour through Miles Hardidge.

It remained 1-0 at half time, and through to 70 minutes, when the home side finally managed to equalise courtesy of James Boyland.

Neither side could find a winner, although the point gained by Chard does take them up to 10th spot in the league table, with just four points separating eighth and 14th places.

The Robins are at home again tomorrow (Saturday) when, promotion-chasing Westbury United are in town, for a re-run of the match abandoned in the 89th minute, with Chard leading 4-2.

Next Tuesday (April 10, ko 7.45pm), Chard make the long midweek trip to Devizes Town, before their hectic schedule continues with a Thursday night match at Bishop Sutton (ko 7.30pm).

Chard Reserves visit Heavitree United 2nds tomorrow (ko 3pm), while on Wednesday (April 11, ko 7.30pm) they are due to entertain Perry Street & Yonder Hill in a local derby match.

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ILMINSTER Town have 12 matches still to play, including four at home in the first seven days of May, so it is going to be a frantic end to the season for the Blues, who are still not assured of avoiding relegation.

They are 14th in the Somerset County League Premier Division standings on 22 points, three points up on third-bottom Clutton and six points ahead of second-bottom Staplegrove, and the Blues have games in hand on both sides.

Ilminster are set to travel to Clutton tomorrow (ko 3pm), for what will be a vital ‘six-pointer’.

Also tomorrow, Ilminster Reserves will attempt to play their first Macron Devon & Exeter League match since March 24 at home to Halwill 2nds at the Archie Gooch Pavilion, with a 3pm kick-off.

On Sunday, Ilminster Town Ladies are due to travel to Charlestown Ladies in the South West Women's League Premier Division (ko 2pm), with Ilminster in fourth spot and Charlestown ninth.

In the Somerset County Women's League, Merriott Ladies host Pen Mill Ladies in Division 1, while in Division 2, Combe Ladies go to Evercreech Ladies, Crewkerne Rangers are at Purnell Reserves and Ilminster Reserves are away to Hamilton Ladies (all ko 2pm).