CHARD Town face three matches in the next eight days as they attempt to catch up on their backlog of fixtures in the First Division of the Toolstation Western League, writes Colin Dunford.

On Wednesday night (March 14) Chard entertain Chippenham Park under the Zembard Lane lights, with a slightly later than normal 7.45pm kick-off.

Then on Saturday (March 17) they face a tricky trip to Bishop Sutton, who are always difficult to beat on their own ground (ko 3pm).

This is followed on Wednesday (March 21) with another home game, with Bishops Lydeard, which was already postponed twice (ko 7.30pm).

Chard boss Paul Down said: “Another blank Saturday and the fixture situation is becoming a concern.

“Hopefully the powers that be will see sense and extend the season.”

He went on: “We should have a full squad to pick from for the game with Chippenham Park, who until last Saturday had been on a decent run, which should make it interesting.

“Bishop Sutton on Saturday is never an easy place to go and no doubt ground conditions will be testing.”

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WITH March now upon us and after last week’s snow you would think that Ilminster Town could finally get their season on track, writes Andy Fish.

With the big thaw and the ground totally sodden earlier in the week the groundstaff were delighted to get on the pitch to work on Friday morning.

But once more, a heavy downpour late on Friday added to the already wet ground and by 6pm the pitch was waterlogged again, causing the Somerset County League Premier Division match with Frys Club to be postponed.

The Blues will try again this coming Saturday, with an away match against bottom-of-the-table Wells City Reserves, who last played on February 17 when they lost 5-1 away at Nailsea United.

This represents a fine chance for Ilminster to pull themselves away from the dropzone, as they are only two points ahead of second-bottom Staplegrove, albeit with six games in hand.

Ilminster Town Reserves are home at the Archie Gooch Pavilion on Saturday, with a 3pm kick-off against Black Swan Town, in Macron Devon & Exeter League Division 5.

Combe St Nicholas did manage to get a game in, and they came out on the right side of a nine-goal thriller at home to Division 1 West's basement side Congresbury.

Their 5-4 victory took them up to 12th in the league table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

This Saturday they are set to host table-toppers Somerton Town (ko 3pm).

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Devon & Exeter League
Division 1
Wellington Reserves 5, Chard Reserves 3

IN one of the few matches in the area to survive the weather, Chard Reserves went down 5-3 to a stronger than usual Wellington second string in Division 1 of the Macron Devon & Exeter league on Saturday.

Chard went in front against the run of play after 22 minutes when Cam Barfoot got in behind the defence to slip the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs, but Wellington drew level in the 37th minute and then went 2-1 up with a volley from the edge of the box on the stroke of half time.

The hosts stretched their lead to 3-1 after 54 minutes, but Chard pulled a goal back when Octavio Lima scrambled in from close range eight minutes later.

Having used all three substitutes, the visitors had to play the latter stages with 10 men after Darren Contreras was carried off with a serious leg injury.

Wellington scored twice more before Chard made it 5-3 in the 94th minute when Dan Anjos rounded the ‘keeper and steered the ball past two defenders on the line.

Chard: Alex Cunnold, Owen Dodd (Will Willetts), Scott Wells Burr, Nathan Finn (Kieran Bailey 60mins sub), Ryan Mason, Darren Contreras, Jake Board, Andre Anjos, Octavio Lima, Jay Stewart, Cam Barfoot (Dan Anjos). Sub: Chris Atyeo (not used)

Chard Reserves have two games this weekend.

On Saturday they are at home to Lyme Regis in Division 1 of the Devon & Exeter League (3pm), then on Sunday they visit Beer in the Grandisson Cup (2pm).