GoCrea8 Southern 2
West Dorset 3, Chard 3

CHARD made the trip across to West Dorset with a flat 11 players, and without an out-and-out winger.

They looked vulnerable heading into what was a vital game in their title chase, but they were determined.

They scored the first goal, after Fraser Lewis (one of the players playing out of position) looked certain to score but hit a defender’s foot on the line.

George Retter stepped up to score the resulting penalty flick, coolly finding the side netting.

This advantage didn’t last long, though, as their opposition too scored a penalty flick after an unlucky ricochet onto a foot on the line.

West Dorset then took the lead when a short corner was drilled low into the corner of the goal.

Chard came out into the second half very motivated to salvage something, and they equalised straight away, when Michael Wakely lifted the ball over the keeper and into the net.

Although West Dorset went ahead again, the Chard midfield trio of Wakely, Adam Veitch and Liam Murphy combined well to attack, and Veitch converted from a short corner for 3-3.

Chard were fortunate to take a point, and they will have to put in a shift in for their remaining three games to win the league.

***

GoCrea8 South East 2
Chard A 0, Tiverton 10

THE scoreline suggests a walkover for table-topping Tiverton, but Chard competed well for three quarters of this match.

Chard battled to a 2-2 draw at Tiverton earlier in the season, but there was no repeat of such heroics.

The visitors had a squad of 15, while Chard were left with one substitute, and this imbalance was significant in the closing stages.

Although Arthur Critchley and Steve Mahoney both made goal-line clearances and keeper Richard Green some excellent saves, it was 3-0 at half time.

Chard continued to battle well, but tiring legs and tired passing meant the defence came under unrelenting pressure, and Tiverton were increasingly clinical from penalty corners, seven of their goals coming from such opportunities.

Chard squad: R Green, N Liggins, A Critchley, P Tratt, S Mahoney, J Green, J Goddard, J Spurdle (capt), M Lane, G Wheaton, T Goss, H Dening.

***

GoCrea8 South East 2
ECV Hornets B 10, Chard B 2

CHARD B conceded the same number of goals as their clubmates on Saturday, losing 10-2 away to bottom side ECV Hornets B.

Chard struggled against the revamped Hornets, who bossed the midfield and had a very mobile striker.

Chard errors also helped Hornets, and the visitors were five down at half time, but some reorganisation gave Chard additional outlets through Seb Horne and Tom King out wide.

Alfie Crump also had a good second half, pulling one back, with King scoring the other.

But the defence could not handle the Hornets attack, and conceded five more.

Chard squad: Hibbard, Mooney, Johnson, Dare, Cheffey, Swann, Eames, Lewi s, Float, King, Crump, Horne.

This coming Saturday, there is an inter-club head-to-head, as Chard B (fourth) play Chard A (third) at Holyrood Academy.

***

Chard & Ilminster News:
BATTLE: Chard Ladies' Rachel Island-Jones in action. Pic: Steve Richardson

West Clubs Women’s League
Sedgemoor Division 1
ECVH 2, Chard 4

CHARD Ladies picked up a vital away victory against ECVH at the weekend.

They defeated the side sitting fifth by a 4-2 scoreline, thanks to goals from Amy Goss, Ruth Butcher (2) and Lorraine Szczepanski.

Player of the match went to Rachel Ireland-Jones for a battling display in midfield, her hard work typifying the Chard team effort.

They remain bottom of the table, but are now just one point behind White Eagles 2nds and three off Taunton Vale 4ths.

This Saturday they host leaders Taunton Vale 3rds.

***

Friendly match
Chard Ladies 1, Beaminster Ladies 7

CHARD brought out many players on Sunday, helping out a short Beaminster side by offering goalie Lou Lury and Sue Stoker.

The hosts worked hard in the first half against a very strong Beaminster side but were 1-0 down at half time.

The second period did not go so well for Chard after a downpour of rain and hail.

Chard lost their fight a bit, and Beaminster took full advantage of Chard having no goalkeeper.

Chard did manage to claw one goal back when a cross in front of the goal from Lois Butcher left a tap-in for Kerryn Mullis.

A solid effort from all players, as it ended 7-1.