Chard 5

AFTER last weeks impressive performances, Okehampton were seeking revenge against Chard who had beaten them earlier in the season. 

For the first time this season captain Brett Lawson had a full squad to select from with Hayden Bond returning in goal and Alex Osman replacing the still hamstrung John Jarvis in defence.  

Okehampton were also able to field two players from their youth side in débutante Tom Hutchings  and Jack Watson. 

The game started well for the home side as Luxton made the Chard keeper work after being put through by Lawson.

Oke clearly started the better side but the breaks would just not go their way.  An injury to centre back Mark Bingham saw him leave the field so the home side had to reshuffle at the back.  This change in personnel  lead to Chard taking  a 2-0 lead following two swift penalty corners.

Alex Osman, who was Oke's man of the match, cleared superbly off his own goal line to stop Chard extending their lead.

Okehampton, however, could not keep Chard out for long, despite keeper Hayden Bond pulling off some excellent saves. Two more penalty corners saw Chard take a 0-4 lead into half time.

At the restart the home team where hoping that their luck was going to change but as Okehampton pushed forward another injury saw Simon Bourne  leave the field.

Jack Watson found himself in some great forward positions and was unlucky not to score on two occasions.  Brett Lawson also  spurned a late chance for Okehampton as he beat two of the Chard defenders but when faced with the goalkeeper  pushed his shot wide. 

Yet another injury saw George Morgan replace keeper Bond in goal but the game was lost.

Clearly the day belonged to Chard and despite all Oke's efforts the visitors deserved their win.