Top of the league Chard Ladies 1s took the home slot against an opposition who didn't have to travel very far - Chard 2nd XI. Derbies have their own rules, their own chaos, and their own moments of magic. The 1s opened the scoring with a sharp, clinical break from Layla to make it 1–0… but what happened next absolutely deserved its own chapter in Chard HC history.

Because the 2s equaliser? Oh, that was a moment. A moment so glorious it should probably be framed, replayed in slow motion, and maybe even submitted for goal of the month. Only the third goal 1s keeper Hattie has conceded all season — and what a beauty it was. It began with Summer, composed in midfield, nicking the ball and slipping it wide. The return ball came fizzing back to her feet and she glided through the defensive line like she’d been planning the route all morning. One-on-one with the keeper, she opened her body, picked her spot, and with the calm of a seasoned finisher, slotted it into the corner. A finish so precise you could practically hear applause from both benches. The 2s celebrated like they’d scored a league winner — and honestly? Fair enough.

……Anyway.

The 1s then went on to win 14–1.

Katie Fear helped herself to six, Layla Anderson added five, and tidy finishes from Lois Butcher, Kerryn Mullis, and Lauren Struszczak rounded off the scoring. Clinical, ruthless, and exactly what you’d expect from a side leading the division. Great attacking plays from Sasha and Amy left them unlucky not to get on the scoreboard.

At the other end, the 2s defensive unit of Frankie, Caitlin, Verity and Angel, supported by a pile of strong saves from keeper Hannah McGown, worked tirelessly to stop the game drifting into outright cricket territory. Their determination and positioning kept things far more respectable than the scoreline alone suggests.

In midfield, the two Harriets, along with Emily, Izzy, Maisie, and Summer again, linked up brilliantly, carving out some lovely passing sequences. On another day — with a kinder bounce or a luckier deflection — the 2s could easily have nicked a second and shaken things up even more. The 1s back 3 of Lois, Min and Jade worked well to keep the 2s at bay.

All in all? A big win for the 1s — but one very big moment for the 2s. Their equaliser may have been just one on the scoreboard, but in the story of the match, it was a 10/10 masterpiece.

Ladies 1s MOM - Layla and Katie
Ladies 2s MOM - Frankie and Caitlin

Donkey of the Day going to keeper Hannah McGown for expertly lodging the ball in her kicker mid save.

Thanks to umpires Chris Long and Alan Cheffey.