HOCKEY: Chard A well beaten by Taunton Vale

THERE was plenty of Wheaton family interest in this fixture, Gary and younger son Murray playing for Chard against elder son Kyle, who joined Vale at the start of this season, writes Steve Mahoney.

Kyle played a significant part in Vale coming out on top, but it was not the one-sided game the scoreline may suggest.

The difference was Vale’s more clinical finishing and Chard being unable to get the ball past the visitors’ goalkeeper despite plenty of attacking play.

The opening goal came from an unfortunate mix-up between Chard keeper Casey Hibbard and captain Tom Eames, the latter trying to avoid a collision with the former, the ball eluding both of them and presenting a Vale forward with the simplest of tap-ins.

Chard showed glimpses of the crisp, short passing game they are striving for but often found themselves hemmed in and without sufficient options.

Nevertheless, they created a fair share of pressure at the Vale end of the pitch and there was good reason to think an equaliser could be on the cards, only for Vale to extend their lead with a swift counter-attack.

The visitors’ keeper made a couple of saves from good shots to deny the home side a swift response and then, shortly before half-time, Vale added their third goal from a rebound after Hibbard had made the initial save at a penalty corner.

The second half saw Vale gain the upper hand in midfield with Chard under pressure and having difficulty putting passes together.

Hibbard and the defence bravely withstood a barrage of penalty corners but Vale added two more goals by midway through the second half and looked to be coasting.

Credit to Chard, who got back into the game at this point, Gary Wheaton leading the way on the right wing from where a number of promising crosses were delivered and the ever-willing Jason Goddard finding new reserves of energy to help reinvigorate Chard’s midfield.

James Salaman linked well with Wheaton senior and Chard’s pressure produced a couple of penalty corners, Gareth Eggle’s and Harvey Dening’s clean shots well saved by the keeper.

Vale were still dangerous when collecting the ball in midfield, frequently able to muster three or four players to launch another attack and, from one such opening, they added a sixth goal late on.

Thanks to umpires Hannah McGown and Tess Down and match sponsor Albert Goodman, Chartered Accountants.

Chard squad: C Hibbard, T Eames (c), P Tratt, S Mahoney, R Millett, J Goddard, J Reader, M Wheaton, G Wheaton, H Dening, R Squire, J Salaman, G Eggle.

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CHARD men's 1sts also lost heavily, 11-1 at Central 2 promotion contenders South Glos.

Chard sit second bottom ahead of this Saturday’s crunch match at home to winless basement side Team Bath Buccs E (2pm start).

Chard ladies suffered, too, losing 7-1 at home to Taunton Vale 3rds in Sedgemoor Division 1.

They go to Vale 4ths this Saturday (10am).

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CHARD'S Sunday Ladies were beaten 3-0 at Gillingham on Sunday.

The hosts attacked from the off, and were ahead inside five minutes.

Visiting goalkeeper Charlie Carver-Bale made save after save, many of them quite spectacular, but it was 2-0 at half-time.

This was a good team performance from Chard, with every player working hard and battling, but Gillingham added a third to wrap it up.