Chard were well worth this point against top of the table Hornets and they created enough second half chances which, with a little more composure in front of goal, could have put the game to bed long before the visitors snatched a late equaliser.

It helped that Chard were able to put out one of their strongest squads this season which included Ben Berryman in midfield with Simon Green and Steve Dare in the back four where there was also a first start this season for Flynn Bowie. Archie Parris was also a welcome late addition to the squad of 13. The defence certainly had to be on their mettle from the off as Hornets lived up to their name and buzzed with energy and purpose around the Chard D. The home side coped well with the early pressure but were indebted to keeper Tony Millett for an excellent double save from less than a metre out.

Chard contested well in midfield where Berryman set a fine example of tenacity as did Parris. The young forward line grew in confidence as the first half progressed and some neat passing between Parris, Noah Green, Alfie Baker-Pike and Nathan Bradshaw showed the Hornets' sting could be drawn as more of the play became centred within the visitors' 25 metre line. Reward for this endeavour arrived on the half hour when Noah Green pounced on a chance to put Chard ahead.

Hornets were expected to press hard for an equaliser from the start of the second half but, riding the wave of confidence instilled by their half time lead, Chard were a match for them. Berryman, Parris and captain Gary Wheaton were all the source of some searching passes into the D and at least three golden chances went begging as the ball flashed across with only a final touch needed to steer it over the goal line. On top of this, Hornets' keeper was kept busy with saves from several shots on target.

So it was somewhat against the run of play when Hornets conjured a goal with just over an hour gone, the ball bobbling up when Millett dived forward to intercept a speculative pass into the D and falling kindly for their number 69 to prod home despite the best efforts of Bowie to keep it out. In the last couple of minutes Chard were awarded a penalty corner, failed to convert and then lost possession. A swift Hornets counterattack earned them a penalty corner but, as with earlier ones, the defence stood firm and a deserved point was secured.

Thanks to umpires : Ben Larcombe and Claire Winter