An Alfie Baker-Pike hattrick secured Chard victory in another highly competitive game against Sidmouth & Ottery's fourth string, Chard having edged their opponents in all three of their fixtures this season. There was little to choose between the teams in an evenly contested first half, but Chard took the lead midway through, courtesy of Ian Wait's hard struck pass into the D which Baker-Pike instinctively deflected goalwards, the speed of his reaction leaving the Sidmouth keeper static.

A heavy halftime hail storm transformed the pitch into a snowscape for much of the second half and required a change of playing style which Chard were unable to implement quickly enough, as early pressure saw the visitors awarded a penalty flick which they duly converted to get back on level terms. The changed conditions required firm striking of the ball to compensate for the accumulated hail and Wait delivered a masterclass in this, a string of passes of over fifty metres giving Baker-Pike, Noah Green and Nathan Bradshaw plenty of opportunities to duel it out for possession with Sidmouth's defenders. From an upfield position, Wait's angled drive across the D reached Baker-Pike at the far post where he guided the ball into the net to restore Chard's lead.

With 10 minutes remaining, Sidmouth's captain and keeper gambled everything, substituting himself off to give his team eleven outfield players in a search for another equaliser. Chard's back four dug deep as pressure mounted and a string of penalty corners ensued. Centre backs Simon Green and Nigel Parris were outstanding examples of guile and calm in the face of Sidmouth's young and fleet footed forward line, while debutante keeper Jake Frayne distinguished himself with a number of vital blocks and saves in a confident performance.

In the final minute, a Chard break saw the ball reach Bradshaw and his pinpoint accurate pass set up a supremely confident Baker-Pike for his and Chard's third goal.

Thanks to umpires: Katie Fear and Gareth Eggle

Squad; J Frayne, N Parris, S Green, E Webb, S Mahoney, G Wheaton (c), J Rees, I Wait, T Pedder, A Cheffey, P Sainsbury N Green, A Baker-Pike, N Bradshaw