CHARD Town take part in the "Match of the Day" on Saturday in the Toolstation Western League, when they visit Keynsham Town (3pm).

With both these sides and Cheddar locked on 38 points at the top of the First Division, it is a crucial encounter.

Chard are on a six-match winning league run and Keynsham have been beaten only twice in their last 15 games - both times by Chard, 1-0 in the league and 2-0 in the Somerset Premier Cup.

However, both those victories were at Zembard Lane, whilst this fixture takes place on Keynsham's 3G surface.

Chard will be without full-back Ollie Pearson (unavailable) but Ben Haines is back to take that place.

There is good and bad news on the injury front.

With both Chard matches off last Saturday summer signing Steve Smith, who has not played since September, turned out for Beaminster in the Dorset League, to get match fitness and Dan Collins has recovered from injury to join the Chard squad at Keynsham.

However, Tom Salter knee is still causing problems, while Jacob Manley is likely to be out until the New Year.

Chard reserves are at home to Alphington 2nds on Saturday in the First Division of the Macron Devon & Exeter League. Supporters are asked to note the kick off is 2.30pm at the request of the visitors.

****

AFTER a wet weather week, Ilminster Town’s match at home to Watchet Town was cancelled on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch.

The team will try again next week with Nailsea & Tickenham the visitors to the Archie Gooch Pavilion with a 2pm kick-off.

Nailsea played at Middlezoy Rovers on Saturday in one of only two matches played in the Somerset County Premier Division.

Their hard-fought 1-0 win took them up to second in the table, only two points behind Fry Club.

The young Ilminster Town Reserves side played top-of-the-table Thorncombe in the Perry Street Division 1 Cup semi-final on Saturday.

With the Ilminster old Grandstand pitch waterlogged, the match was switched to Thorncombe and goals by Jack Read and Sam Hodkinson saw them through to the final against Forton Rangers with a 2-1 win.

Ilminster Town Ladies were also frustrated by the weather, seeing Sunday’s scheduled match at home to Marine Academy Plymouth called off due to a waterlogged pitch in the South West Women’s League Premier Division.

The Ladies host Middlezoy on Sunday (2pm).

****

Combe St Nicholas are on their travels on Saturday, taking on Yatton & Cleeve United Reserves.

Combe sit 11th, with Yatton in 14th.