Verde Recreo Men’s League
Central 2
Chard 0, Keynsham 1

CHARD remain second bottom in the table after a 1-0 home defeat to top-half side Keynsham on Saturday.

Three points adrift of 10th spot, Chard travel to leaders Team Bath Buccs D this Saturday.

South East 1
East Devon A 12, Chard A 1

AFTER the delight of getting their first league points the previous week, Chard were simply outclassed in this fixture and given a lesson in one and two touch, give and go hockey.

The home side’s speed of movement and passing meant Chard’s defenders were chasing shadows.

East Devon were clinical in front of goal and the heroics of man of the match goalkeeper Phoenix Carvell were instrumental in avoiding a worse defeat.

He made saves with feet, hands and head and was very unlucky not to keep out some of the shots that were fired at him at incredible pace.

The hosts started as they meant to go on, their opening goal coming within the first minute without a Chard player getting a touch on the ball, and it was 2-0 with five minutes on the clock.

Five goals behind by half time, Chard rallied at the start of the second half, Andy Kippax scoring to reduce the deficit.

For a spell the home side were too hasty in their attempts to hit back, but they finished strongly to complete a resounding victory.

In mitigation, Chard suffered for only being able to field 11 players, four of whom were hampered by injuries.

This has been a particularly bad season for injuries and this has contributed to the difficulty in fielding a settled team week on week.

Chard: P Carvell, T Eames, A Kippax, G Bromfield, S Mahoney, G Wheaton, J Saloman, R Squire, J Goddard, H Dening, G Eggle; match sponsor: Martins of Chard

South East 2
Yeovil & Sherborne B 1, Chard B 2

CHARD men’s 3rds managed a double over their local rivals, despite only playing with 10 men.

After a cautious start, Chard’s midfield began to take control, with Ollie Saxby outstanding, and they won a series of penalty corners, the last of which was dispatched by Steve Dare into the top corner.

Yet it was 1-1 after Yeovil picked up a mistimed pass, visiting goalkeeper Grahame Johnson made a save, but the rebound was flicked in.

The second half was a little more scrappy as the rain started, but it was the home side who created more clear chances.

Riley Millett ran tirelessly, though, and the visitors scored the winner, as a break from defence found Alan Cheffey on the right, and his cross set up Duncan Lewis to net.

Chard: Johnson, Dare, Mooney, A Millet, Swann, Saxby, R Millett, Jones, Cheffey, Lewis

West Clubs Women’s League
Sedgemoor Division 1
Chard 4, Burnham-on-Sea 3

CHARD Ladies arrived for their first home game of 2019 knowing that they needed the three points.

The hosts started out strongly, and Lyndsay Blackshaw found Sasha Taylor on the back line, her cross converted by Kerryn Mullis.

Despite tireless work from the Chard defence, Burnham were quick to equalise and then scored a second goal, both balls finding unmarked players in the D, and the first half ended 2-1 in Burnham’s favour.

After an enthused team talk from coach James Spurdle, the hosts started the second half a completely different team and Mullis slotted in her second.

A dive from keeper Hannah McGown deflected the ball top D, and the second shot was stopped by Natalie Slade, but eventually Burnham found a way through following a short corner routine.

Chard also had plenty of opportunities to practise their newly-worked out short corner routines.

Speed off the goal-line from Burnham’s defenders looked to be too much for the hosts, until a straight strike from Amy Goss found injector Abbi Wheaton on the post.

Chard pressed for a winner, and a drive down the pitch from Goss found Blackshaw, who swept the ball home with 14 seconds to spare.

Player of the match: Sasha Taylor, Nat Slade, Kerryn Mullis; match sponsor: Spice Villa

Sunday friendly match
Chard 4, Yeovil & Sherbourne 3

CHARD Sunday Ladies were bright and breezy, much like the weather, in this hard-fought friendly fixture.

With the teams evenly matched it was an end-to-end battle and Chard’s defence worked hard throughout the match to keep the opposition at bay.

Captain Charlie Carver-Bale did a sterling job as kicking back.

It was a real team effort from Chard and they were thrilled to run out winners, with goals coming from Lorna Warren, Rose Trafford and Sophie Gibbons (2).

Thanks go to Chris Long and Danny Grabham for umpiring and to match sponsor Honiton Sports.