Coronation Cup: Chard United 3-1 Forton Rangers

CHARD United have progressed to the semi final of the Coronation Cup after a convincing display in the quarter final.

The 1st team took on a strong, physical Forton team, favourites to retain the league title this season and won 3-1.

Chard restricted Forton to few chances with some outstanding defending yet again with captain Mark Smale coming out with man of the match.

He led the team well, winning aerial battles and making some unreal challenges.

However it wasn't plain sailing as Chard were reduced to 10 men with 10 minutes of the 1st half but managed to go into the break one goal up thanks to another Owen Ford strike.

His quick feet and pace saw him beat the full back and smash home to add to his tally.

In the second half the whole team put in a major shift and managed to score on the counter with Ford breaking down the left and his deflected shot hit the net to make it 2-0.

Forton pulled one back with 15 minutes remaining but no nerves set in at all and Chard kept defending and kept fighting.

Chard added a third on the counter again when Ben Mear broke down the left got in to the box took his time and picked out Mike G who tucked home from 10 yards.

The manager said after the win: "Unbelievable performance to a man against a very good team who dont lose many at all. Proud manager today showed real charecter and endeavour."

Elsewhere, in the Jack Venn Cup, Chard United Reserves defeated Combe FC Colts 7-4 to progress out of the first round of the cup.

Combe battled well but overall the Chard Reserves were better scoring three goals in the first half and scoring four in the second half.

Those goals came from a Josh Wilmington hattrick, while Kev Cavanagh grabbed two and Luis Oliviera and Craig Willcocks had one each.

Manager Parr said: “We came into this game knowing it will be tough, we were missing a few players and we knew Combe have a good team, but the lads sticked to the game plan, worked hard and got a very good win, we had a proper test ourselves in the second half having to re shuffle due to Injuries, a sending off and a sin bin but we battled through that and come out victorious, another pleasing performance for me, and we look forward to going again next Saturday.”