CHARD Town will be looking to get the New Year off to a positive start tomorrow when they visit Cheddar in the Toolstation First Division (3pm).

Last weekend’s planned fixture at home to bottom club Portishead Town was one of many postponed following prolonged rain.

Sitting comfortably enough in mid-table is not good enough for manager Adam Fricker, who is targeting at least a top eight finish in what is a very competitive division.

He told The News: “We have a small but strong squad so if we have a bit of luck with injuries, there’s no reason why we can’t finish in the top eight.

“Consistency is the key from now until the end of the season.

“I’m looking forward to Saturday’s match at Cheddar, where there is a decent pitch which gives you a chance to play football.”

Fricker is buoyed by the return of experienced defender Darren Hutchings, who is available again after a long time out following a hernia operation.

He is concerned, however, that midfield playmaker Andy Martyn is only 50/50 having picked up a hamstring injury in the second half of the game against Wincanton just before Christmas.

In defence, Craig Mawford is suspended and will be missed in the right back position.

Fricker will be hoping to keep strikers Ed Butcher and Sam Clark fit if Chard are to push up the league.

Cheddar sit one place behind Chard, in 12th place, three points back but with two games in hand, so this will be a tough test for the visitors.

l Chard Reserves are at home to Bow AAC in the Premier Division of the Fresha Devon & Exeter League (ko 3pm).

The Reserves sit just below mid-table with some work to do to secure their place in the division. And they will have a good chance of three points on Saturday with Bow struggling near the relegation zone.

l Chard Under-18s, who have not played for two months, following a series of postponements, were due to entertain Clevedon Town last (Tuesday) night.

They are at home to Ashton & Backwell Utd in the Premier Division of the Somerset Floodlight League next Tuesday (January 13, ko 7.30pm) and, two days later, visit Gillingham again in the league on Thursday night (ko 7.45pm).