Chard A lose to Taunton Vale D (2-1)

CHARD men's 2nds were left with a sense of injustice as they lost their 100 per cent record and top spot in Division South East 2 in controversial circumstances away to title rivals Taunton Vale D.

The hosts snatched all three points from a penalty corner in added time, awarded after Chard had scrambled clear a previous penalty corner effort and the ball ran over the dead ball line.

The visitors were expecting to be awarded a 16-yard hit-out, but Vale appealed for another penalty corner, which was given.

With regulation time up and the whole home team now camped around the top of Chard's D, Ian Rockett saved the first shot but the ball squirted free to be jabbed agonisingly over the line.

The hosts had taken a first-half lead, only for Chard to peg them back with a Rollo Squire equaliser, his back to goal but somehow creating enough space to turn and shoot to make it all square at half-time.

The visitors were never able to get into their stride and play their best hockey, as Vale were swift to put pressure on the player in possession and close down passing space.

But there were still opportunities for a second Chard goal, none better than when Vale's keeper was sin binned for five minutes having run out of his D and used his feet to block a cross.

Harvey Dening was off target from the resulting penalty corner and Gary Wheaton also fired wide having done all the hard work of creating the chance, just before the keeper returned to the pitch.

Wheaton went close again soon after, trying to place the ball wide of the keeper, who just stretched far enough to save.

Chard defended resolutely and, in the final quarter of the match, coped with being men down through the sin binning of Steve Mahoney (twice) and Dening.

For all Vale's pressure, Chard looked like holding out for a draw until that controversial decision and the last-gasp goal.

Chard squad: I Rockett, T Eames (c), N Gage, R Millett, S Mahoney, J Goddard, M Wheaton, T Float, C Knight, R Squire, H Dening, T Goss, G Wheaton.