GoCrea8 Men’s League
Southern 1
Penzance 2, Chard 2

CHARD men’s 1sts were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom side Penzance on Saturday, which dealt a blow to their own survival hopes.

Chard, second bottom by two points, are at home to fourth-placed Okehampton this Saturday (2pm start).

South East 2
Chard A 1, East Devon C 2

CHARD A were made to rue their missed chances and a lack of substitutes as their first home defeat of the season saw them surrender top spot in the league to East Devon C.

The hosts were into their stride from the whistle and went a goal up after little more than five minutes when excellent wing play from Kyle Wheaton set up Trevor Goss for a textbook finish.

While the visitors were still trying to come to terms with this, another attack presented Goss with a golden opportunity to double the lead.

With the keeper on the floor after an initial save, Goss tried to lift the ball over him but could not get it high enough and the keeper kept it out.

Another chance went begging as, in a goalmouth scramble, East Devon cleared off the goal-line.

At the other end the visitors were finding their attacking teeth, albeit mainly through long balls.

Their number 29, starting on the right wing and then drifting into a more central attacking role, was fast and dangerous, and Richard Green in goal had to make a couple of timely saves with the back four breached.

Arthur Critchley was in the right place to steer a shot round the post from one of a number of penalty corners but Chard were worth their half-time lead, staying dangerous on the counter-attack through Wheaton, Justin Green and Gareth Eggle.

There was nothing to pick between the teams for much of the second half, both looking capable of scoring.

When East Devon equalised from a penalty corner there was an element of controversy about it, with Richard Green feeling he was held down by the forward whose shot he had saved.

The follow-up flick over him and past Critchley on the line made it 1-1.

The game remained tight but, with 10 minutes remaining, the visitors took the lead through a slice of luck.

As a speculative cross into the D had the pace taken off it by Steve Mahoney, and the ball fell to the right winger, whose first-time reaction wrong-footed Green.

Chard needed fresh legs but there were none to bring on, as Wheaton and Eggle soldiered on with knee problems.

Yet an equaliser was almost conjured via a left-wing attack, the ball falling to the exhausted veteran Goss, but his shot was smothered by the keeper, and the visitors held on.

Thanks to umpires Jim Sainsbury and Alan Cheffey. Chard A: R Green, C Knight, A Critchley, P Tratt, S Mahoney, J Green, J Goddard (c), J Spurdle, K Wheaton, G Eggle, T Goss.

This Saturday, Chard A visit ninth-placed Taunton Vale D (4.30pm).

South East 2
Chard B 1, ECV Hornets B 4

AS has been the case in recent games, Chard got off to a terrible start and were 2-0 down in the first 10 minutes, with poor passing opening up good chances for Hornets.

The hosts improved as the half progressed and pulled one back when Ryan Lewis found Richard Jones, who halved the deficit.

Chard relied on the breakaway but the visiting defence prevented any clear-cut chances, and Kacey Hibbard in goal pulled off a great save at the other end.

The second half was scrappy with no clear chances, until Hornets managed to cross from the right and scored an easy goal, before extending their lead near the end with a well-taken reverse stick shot.

Thanks to umpires Jim Sainsbury & Gareth Eggle. Chard B: Hibbard, Willis, Mooney, Millet, Cheffey, D Lewis, Float, Bromfield, D Cooper, R Lewis, B Cooper, Jones, Squire, Grossey.

Sixth-placed Chard B go to West Dorset A, who are eighth, this Saturday (2pm).

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West Clubs Women’s League
Sedgemoor Division 2
Minehead 2nds 0, Chard 13

CHARD ladies continued their march towards the Sedgemoor Division 2 title and instant promotion back to Division 1.

Their 14th win from 14 came away to Minehead 2nds, who were put to the sword with 13 unanswered goals.

Jess Withers led the charge with four, aided by an Amy Goss hat-trick, two from Tessa Down and one apiece from Lyndsay Blackshaw, Lorraine Szczepanski, Abbi-Rose Wheaton and Kate Phillips.

Nine points clear at the top, Chard go to third-placed White Eagles 2nds on Saturday (11am).