CHARD were defeated but far from disgraced against promotion chasing Teign.

The home side were given a shock inside the first five minutes when a Steve Mahoney free hit just outside the 25 metre line found Alan Cheffey on the backline in the D and he played a first time pass in to Justin Green who scored from close range.

Teign have a brand of pass and move hockey that Chard must aspire to but, for all their attractive play, they were knocked off their stride for some time having gone behind.

Patient approach play often broke down with a wayward final pass and Paul Tratt and Chris Knight were in excellent form at the heart of Chard’s defence as was stand in keeper Gary Wheaton when Teign found greater accuracy.

Simon Green was also outstanding with some well timed tackles and interceptions.

An equaliser was scrambled following a penalty corner, the ball adjudged to have crossed the line before being cleared, despite the best combined efforts of Wheaton and Mahoney.

All square at half-time Chard were finally undone firstly when, after a period of concerted pressure, a reverse stick shot from a tight angle beat Wheaton at his near post and then Teign’s aeriel bombardment of the D worked according to plan.

A first time collection of the ball and pass into the path of the unmarked centre forward presented him with time and space to pick his spot.

Even then Chard showed spirit to go straight up the pitch and for Ian Waite to score following a penalty corner to make it 3-2.

Chard kept on looking to get back on level terms and the dribbling skills of Waite combined with the efforts of Duncan Lewis, Huw Edwards and Justin Green gave the home defence some uncomfortable moments — even after Teign re-established a two goal cushion.

They then extended their lead to 5-2 with top quality goals which came courtesy of outstanding finishing rather than any error on the part of Chard’s defenders.

Thanks to match sponsor: Top Togs Sports Equipment.