Chard may have struggled a little for numbers ahead of this week’s men’s fixtures but the 1st team certainly delivered them on the pitch against Culm Valley Hornets 3rd team.
Playing with just 11 and no subs, they secured a 9-0 victory that was thoroughly deserved and crowned by a hat-trick from captain Nathan Johnson.
From the very start, the men in green and white pinned their Devonian opponents in their own half and didn’t stop until the final whistle.
Waves of pass-and-move attack and high press defending eventually resulted in a first goal from right winger Oscar Wadey.
And, despite a steady stream of near misses and penalty corners, the second came via a composed penalty flick from Johnson, after an illegal stop on the line.
In truth, keeper Oscar Smith had a quiet afternoon and there was little to do for the centre back pairing of Steve Dare and Ben Witt, other than snuff out the odd counter attack and venture forward to support the midfield.
Full backs Luc Brown and Arthur Handley spent most of their time as wide attacking players allowing the central trio of Harvey Evans, Mike Lane and skipper Johnson to dominate the middle of the park.
The second half continued in the same vein. Chard were guilty of being a bit wasteful given the amount of pressure and chances fashioned by their strong play but once the third goal went in - courtesy of a smart deflection from left winger Dom Williams - the floodgates opened.
There was a second goal for Wadey and Evans also got on the scoresheet. But the pick of the bunch was a Johnson rocket from the edge of the D after a breathless solo run from his own half.
Chard’s short corners also paid dividends in the second period: striker Joel Handscomb got his customary goal with a reverse hit from a slipped pass while another neat routine saw the captain exchange passes with Ben Witt before tucking the ball away.
Harvey Evans and Dom Williams are probably still arguing about which one of them can claim the last goal after some goal-line poaching.
Although the previous couple of games had seen Chard fall to valiant defeats, this performance was a welcome tonic ahead of a break in the fixture list.
The Somerset side will look to continue and develop this brand of hockey for the rest of the season - and it should render plenty more positive results.
Thanks to the umpires Gary Wheaton and Katie Fear for their calm stewardship on an unseasonably hot day.

Squad: O Smith (GK), S Dare, B Witt, A Handley, L Brown, M Lane, N Johnson (capt), H Evans, D Williams, J Handscomb, O Wadey