ILMINSTER Town and Chard Town meet in a competitive fixture for the first time since April 1982 tomorrow – weather permitting.

Should the weather behave, the two local rivals will go head-to-head in the second round of the Somerset County League Premier & Division 1 Cup, in a 2.30pm kick-off at the Archie Gooch Pavilion.

The most recent competitive clash between the sides 37 years ago saw current Chard manager Mark Parris score the winner for the Robins in a 1-0 win in the Western League.

With Ilminster failing in their re-election campaign that season it was back to Somerset County Football, where the side had to start in Division 3.

Ilminster have remained in the County League ever since and, now back in the Premier Division, they renew their rivalry with near neighbours who were hit by an FA-imposed relegation from the Western League this summer.

Matches between the Blues and the Robins were titanic back in the 1960s and 1970s, with both teams winning the Somerset County Premier Championship – Ilminster in 1962/63, and Chard in 1967/68 and 1969/70.

Ilminster arguably go into tomorrow’s encounter as slight favourites, due to home advantage and their superior league position.

The Blues sit 10th with 11 points from nine games, while Chard – rebuilding after losing 12 of last season’s 15-man squad – are 15th with eight points from six matches.

The old adage says that ‘form goes out the window on derby day’, however, and both teams will be desperate to claim the bragging rights.

They will each be fresh, having seen last weekend’s games postponed due to the heavy rainfall, and the tie will go straight to penalties if it ends as a draw after 90 minutes.

On Sunday, weather permitting, Ilminster Town Ladies host Middlezoy Rovers for a South West Women's League clash (ko 2pm).

It's an immediate chance for Ilminster to gain revenge, having conceded two late goals to lose 2-1 at Middlezoy last Sunday.