Bridgwater C (1) vs Chard A (5)

Although not quite at the tempo of the opening 20 minutes of last week's game, Chard were particularly effective down their right wing with good interplay between Gareth Eggle and Jason Goddard with telling support from Chris Knight and Trevor Goss. They eased into a three goal lead with Riley Millett netting twice and Eggle scoring in between. Bridgwater converted a questionable penalty corner to reduce the arrears and Chard were frustrated for the rest of the first half as a succession of chances were wasted, Eggle and Harvey Dening both having an off day for putting shots between the posts and the home side's keeper saving those which were on target. Chard thought they had further reward for all their pressure just before halftime when awarded a penalty flick. Dening duly converted and goal initially awarded only to be ruled out after consultation between the umpires for a slap shot rather than a flick.

Chard continued to control the game in large part in the second half although having to be on their toes defensively, when Bridgwater launched some swift counterattacks. Although called into action on only a few occasions, Ian Rockett in goal gave an assured performance. A positive for Chard was their remaining true to their pattern of play, even when its execution went awry, rather than falling back on long ball clearances. Trevor Goss thought he had scored a fourth, his goal bound shot being saved a cleared off the line by a Bridgwater defender and the home side's young keeper then performing more heroics, particularly when Dening was put through one on one against him looking odds on to score. Working down both flanks now, Chard's and Dening's patience was eventually rewarded with two late goals for the striker and for the scoreline to finally reflect some measure of Chard's attacking superiority.

Thanks to match sponsor Albert Goodman

Team: I Rockett, T Eames (capt), P Tratt, N Gage, S Mahoney, T Goss, J Goddard, R Millett, C Knight, H Dening, G Eggle.