Chard Hockey Club's third team narrowly lose to Taunton Vale

Chard went into this top-of-the-table clash with a stretched playing roster, fielding only a bare eleven.

This included Nathan Bradshaw, playing only his second senior game; Will Vickery, making his third team debut; and Jacob Searle called in at the last minute to play only his second-ever game of hockey.

The result's closeness is a testament to the commitment and effort put in by everyone on the team.

Chard took the lead after 15 minutes with their first meaningful venture into the Vale's D.

Flyn Bowie got to the back line and pulled a cross into the path of Bradshaw, who lifted the ball over the keeper and into the net.

Further clear goal-scoring chances were few and far between, but Vale also struggled to find the target.

Chard's Tony Millett was instrumental, sprinting out of his D and diving to sweep the ball away with his stick, thwarting a deflected pass that had put Vale's centre forward one-on-one with the keeper.

With the pressure the home side applied, it was not surprising when, three minutes before half-time, one of their attacks resulted in an equaliser.

Much of Chard's best first-half moves originated with captain Gary Wheaton at centre half.

However, Vale man-marked him from the start of the second half, stifling the creativity.

Chard remained competitive, with Luc Brown and Vickery combining well on the left, Reuben Willis posing a constant threat on the right, and Bowie causing problems for the Taunton defence.

Bradshaw and Alfie Baker-Pike worked tirelessly at the centre of the attack, keeping the home defence alert.

Vale took the lead with a cross-shot that was deflected into the net off Millett after his initial save.

They enjoyed more attacking play in the second period, but shots off target and the ball evading the crucial final touch kept the difference between the teams to a single goal.

Chard's Alan Cheffey went agonisingly close to equalising from close range, thanks to a chance set up by Wheaton during one of Chard's most promising penalty corners.

Vale came close to extending their lead late on, but a shot from the top of the D struck the post.