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FOOTBALL: Away win for Chard Town
12:11pm Tuesday 21st February 2012
HEAVY rain just before kick-off at Devizes Town made for a slippery pitch on Saturday and neither side could adapt to the conditions early on in this Division One fixture in the Toolstation Western League.
However, when Chard got their game together they had a chance to go ahead on 10 minutes when a free kick was diverted over the bar by the keeper.
Devizes forced a corner on 15 minutes and were just wide with a chance minutes later.
For Chard Sam Clark got into a good position but his shot was into the side netting on 23 minutes.
Following a free kick and corner, Liam Cleal had an opportunity to open the scoring for Chard on 35 minutes.
Following several further free kicks and well-judged long balls from Adam Fricker, a good move between Cleal and Clark was not enough to increase the advantage just before the break.
The second half saw Chard put pressure on the Devizes defence with a free kick just over the bar.
Then following three corner kicks a save by the home keeper further frustrated Chard’s efforts to increase their lead.
The hosts had a chance to equalise when they were through the Chard defence but keeper Ryan Peacock came out to cover well and bring off a fine save on 65 minutes.
On 70 minutes David Duarte replaced Luke Finn, who had worked well on this his first full game.
A re-arrangement of the forward line produced some good work between Liam Cleal and Gary Spiller leading to a corner on 76 minutes.
From an excellent cross from the corner by Andy Martin into the home goal mouth area, skipper Mark Scott was on hand to head the ball home for Chard’s second goal and wrap the game up for the visitors.
This was a game that did not reach great heights but credit must go to Chard for a well earned 2-0 victory and come away with the three points and secure the double this season over the Wiltshire side.
Chard: Ryan Peacock, Adam Fricker, Sam Johnson, Andy Martin, Mark Scott, Gary Knight, Gary Spiller, George Shlopecki, Luke Finn, Sam Clark, Liam Cleal. Subs: David Durate for Luke Finn 70 mins. Jed Warren, Gary McAuley and Nick Flory not used.