On a wet and windy Saturday at Chard Hockey Club’s temporary pitch at Colyton Grammar School, Chard faced Taunton Vale 4’s.

Both teams started strong, with chances at both ends to take the lead. Chard took the lead through a well-worked goal, with midfielder Tess Down passing wide to Winger Amy Goss, who crossed the ball into the path of forward Ruth Butcher and the ball was finally pushed over the line by Lorraine Szcepanski.

The second half continued in the same effect with both teams pushing at goal. Chard doubled their lead before half-time with midfield Rachel Ireland-Jones slotting the ball past the keeper. The first half ended 2.0 to Chard.

Taunton Vale came out fighting in the second half and won a succession of short corners. Chard’s defence and keeper Hannah McGown fought hard to keep Vale from scoring, however, eventually one of the Short Corners snuck into the bottom corner as Vale got onto the score sheet. Vale continued battling throughout the second half to get an equaliser, but to no avail. Chard Ladies weren’t without chances in the second half, but were denied by the Vale keeper. Chard’s two first half goals were enough to secure them the victory.

This win placed Chard in the middle of the table ahead of next week’s clash against Minehead Ladies first team.

Girls of the game went jointly to midfielders Tess Down and EJ Hines.

Thank you to umpires Jim Sainsbury and Andy Swain.