Verde Recreo Men’s League South East 2

Chard A 6, ECV Hornets B 0

A match played in excellent spirit eventually saw Chard run out comfortable winners to get their promotion challenge back on track, with Harvey Dening bagging a hat trick.

The first quarter hour was an edgy affair, Chard only fleetingly showing anything approaching their best form.

Dening’s first goal was the difference between the teams at half-time but, once he had scored, Chard settled and should have been comfortably ahead.

That they weren’t was down to a combination of fine goalkeeping and wayward shooting.

The slender advantage could have been cancelled out a couple of times, Ian Rockett making crucial saves to preserve the lead.

Chard’s second goal arrived when a penalty corner from Trevor Goss gave Eggle time to strike a clean shot towards the bottom corner of the goal and Jason Goddard was on the post to deflect the ball over the line.

Within a few minutes it was 3-0, Dening firing home a front stick shot.

Chard were on a roll now and the fourth goal came from a move just outside the visitors’ D started and finished by Goss.

Hornets’ attack had had little joy in its efforts to pierce Chard’s defence during the second half but rallied to create a couple of decent chances.

Once again Rockett made the important saves to keep a clean sheet and Chard then broke to deadly effect, starting with the outstanding Riley Millett clearing to Goss.

His defence splitting pass found Eggle who, with a run along the Hornets’ base line, set up Dening with a chance he could not miss.

Chard threatened to run rampant in the latter stages and, had it not been for the Hornets’ keepers’ efforts, the final score would have been in double figures.

As it was, the final minute of the game saw Rolo Squire fire in Chard’s sixth from another penalty corner, appropriate reward for his impressive performance in midfield alongside Jason Goddard, Chris Knight and Murray Wheaton.

Thanks to umpires: Jim Sainsbury and Ben Larcombe and to match sponsor Porter Dodson Solicitors.

Squad: I Rockett, T Eames (capt), N Gage, R Millett, S Mahoney, J Goddard, M Wheaton, C Knight, R Squire, H Dening, G Eggle, T Goss.

Wimborne 4, Chard Sunday Ladies 4

A ROAD trip to Wimborne secured Chard a high-scoring draw in the Dorset development league.

Chard opened the scoring through from Izzy Applegate, but just moments later Wimbourne equalised.

This was pretty much the pattern for the rest of the game, with the next two goals being scored by Sophie Gibbins and then quickly being cancelled out by the home team.

Young goalkeeper Alice Gibbins saved a penalty to keep Chard in contention and when Sue Applegate scored Chards’ fourth it looked like they may run out winners.

However, the hosts were not finished and found an equaliser right on the final whistle.

Thanks go to ‘cheerleader’ Danny Grabham.

CHARD men’s firsts thumped West Dorset A 7-0 in South East 1 and travel to East Devon B on Saturday.

Chard B also had an emphatic victory, seeing off Bridgwater C 8-1 in South East 2.

This Saturday is the inter-club derby as Chard A take on Chard B.

Chard Ladies drew 0-0 at Exe 4ths in West Clubs Women’s League Sedgemoor 1 in what is set to be their final match before Christmas.

CHARD entered two teams in an Under-10s Tournament on Sunday morning, winning four, drawing one and losing five.

All games apart from one were evenly matched and very competitive.

With each tournament, Chard’s players are linking well in attack, passing, moving and creating goalscoring opportunities.

Goals were scored by Alice Shepherd, Tabitha Thompson and Evie McCollom, the latter playing in her first tournament.

Other debutants Nathan Bradshaw and Joe Pearse tackled well and star of the morning was Jemima Millington in goal, making many fine saves.