AFTER defeat at Yeovil the previous weekend, Chard did what they had to do to give themselves the chance of avoiding the drop in South-East Two by winning their final league fixture.

The win was courtesy of a rousing second half performance, another valuable hat-trick from Simon Bidgood, some excellent wing play from Trevor Goss and Justin Green and a battling performance by Chard’s midfield which came into its own after half-time.

Chard started mutedly and defensive hesitation contributed to East Devon taking an early lead, a tame shot passing between the pads of keeper Berge Balion.

The response was a steady building of pressure on the visitors’ goal, culminating in a deserved equaliser, Bidgood bagging his first of the match.

With the momentum in their favour, Chard then took the lead. Matt Sheahan supplied the cross for the first of his three assists, and veteran Goss provided the finishing touch in what may be his valedictory appearance for the 2nd XI.

Seeming to lack confidence in their lead, Chard conceded an equaliser within a minute, some feeble tackling being to blame, and the tide of the game seemed to be tipping in East Devon’s favour as the last few minutes of the half ticked away.

With the match finely balanced, both keepers made crucial saves in the early stages of the second half before the visitors missed a sitter.

Vince Sharp punished this with Chard’s third from a penalty corner. Having opted for first time shots from previous corners, he stepped round a challenge and advanced a few yards before scoring with a simple shot which caught the defence flat-footed.

Called “bumble bee” by one of East Devon’s defenders he certainly stung them with what proved to be a crucial strike. Within minutes Sheahan won a 50-50 ball from a clearance to the left wing and placed a deep pass into Bidgood’s path where he won the one on one contest with the keeper to roll the ball in.

The same duo combined again to telling effect on a Chard breakaway shortly after, Bidgood’s third extending the lead to 5-2. When he limped off in the last five minutes with a hamstring injury, the job was done and the points secured.

Match sponsor: Top Togs.