Verde Recreo Men’s League
Central 2
Bristol University B 13, Chard 2

CHARD men’s 1sts are doomed to finish second from bottom after a heavy defeat away to second-placed Bristol University 3rds on Saturday.

Chard’s last game of the season is at home to Clifton Robinsons C, this Saturday.

South East 1
Chard A 1, West Dorset 3

CHARD’S 2nd XI saw their losing streak extended to eight matches, but they competed well for much of this high-tempo encounter.

West Dorset brought their trademark robust style of play and frequently went for direct attacks.

Although the visitors took an early lead, Chard responded well, battling hard in midfield and causing their opponents some defensive jitters.

Against the run of play, West Dorset extended their lead and saw out the rest of the first 35 minutes comfortably, going in 2-0 up at half-time.

In the second half the visitors produced some flowing moves from midfield using a shorter passing game.

In attack, Chard were largely bereft of ideas and when West Dorset scored a third from a penalty corner it looked like game over, but the reintroduction of a semi-fit Gareth Eggle up front improved matters.

Having limped off in the first half with a hamstring injury, he took up position in the West Dorset D, occupying a couple of defenders and giving the midfield more space.

From one of Chard’s penalty corners, Eggle’s initial shot was charged down, but George Bromfield slipped the loose ball to Gary Wheaton who whipped in a reverse stick shot for a consolation goal, one his contribution to the game richly deserved.

Mention must go to Chard’s stand-in keeper Neil Gage, who made some brave and important saves throughout the game, and marshalled the defence well with clear marking instructions.

Thanks to umpires Hannah McGown and Jim Sainsbury, and match sponsor Bell & Crown Inn.

Chard squad: N Gage, T Eames (c), G Bromfield, P Tratt, S Mahoney, M Lane, G Wheaton, R Squire, M Wheaton, J Goddard, H Dening, G Eggle.

South East 2
Sidmouth & Ottery C 1, Chard B 2

CHARD B played their fourth away fixture of the season with 10 players, but they came away with a win for the third time.

Chard set up by forfeiting their forward line with a view to defending strongly and counter-attacking against a very mobile Sidmouth & Ottery team.

A breakaway earned a penalty corner for the visitors; Andy Swain’s shot off the keeper’s pads was adjudged to have been illegally stopped on the line, and the resulting penalty flick was dispatched into the top bin by Duncan Lewis.

The home side continued to press and were eventually rewarded when a defensive error let them in to score with a reverse stick shot.

Chard reshuffled their team and had both Ollie Saxby and George Johnson-Jones playing well down the flanks.

On the stroke of half-time a Chard penalty corner saw Swain’s shot saved, but the ever-alert Richard Jones swooped in to score.

The second half saw the 10 men of Chard start to tire; the hosts had more ball possession but could not trouble Tony Millet in goal.

Chard’s stoic defensive effort, led by Tony Willis, was rewarded with another win.

Chard squad: A Millet, Dare, Swain, R Millet, Willis, Jones, Johnson-Jones, R Lewis, Saxby, D Lewis.

West Clubs Women’s League
Sedgemoor Division 1
Chard 2, Yeovil & Sherborne 2nds 3

CHARD ladies are not yet safe, as they are five points clear of the bottom two with two games to go, after a narrow home loss on Saturday.

Friendly match
Wimborne Wayfarers 1, Chard 3

CHARD Sunday Ladies travelled to Wimborne for this friendly development match.

The game began with end-to-end play, meaning Chard’s defenders Chloe Parke, Hattie Withers and Elaine Willis had as much to do as forwards Lorna Warren, Sophie Gibbons and Ros Clemmans.

It was Clemmans who finely broke the deadlock to send Chard in 1-0 up at half-time.

The second half saw Chard become more dominant, with midfielders Heidi Warren, Crocus Douglas and Amelia Dare all playing well to control the centre of the pitch and push the attack forward.

But Wimborne broke away to claim a penalty flick when a ball was cleared off the line, allowing them to equalise.

Chard quickly reasserted themselves with a second goal from Clemmans and then put the game beyond Wimborne soon after, with a well-struck conversion from Heidi Warren.

Thanks go to sponsors J.B.Wheaton and Sons Ltd.