Mid Somerset 2 Chard 3

Chard travelled to Mid Somerset to start their league campaign with a few of the usual faces missing and some youth to boost the numbers. Captain Crease decided to play the regulars in their usual positions and put the youth of Fran Caswel and Sam Gordon in the centre of midfield.

A bit risky some might say but a gamble that paid off with a fine pair of debut performances from the youngsters.

It was a slightly nervy start on a quick pitch with play going end to end. Cian Brown made some great saves and the Chard defence discovered he had a voice, after spending most of last season trying to stay awake.

However, Chard soon settled and Barnaby Willis got on the score sheet. Chard quickly doubled their lead with a fantastically worked goal from Caswel, Gordon and Alec Evans.

A swift interception and few neat triangle passes found Alec at the back post to knock it in.

Chard really upped their tempo for the last ten of the half, the opposition looked nervous every time they had a sixteen, Max Jaffe was causing chaos, pressuring the defence into countless errors and was unlucky not to score.

Mid Somerset managed to pull a goal back just before half time, not the best time to concede for Chard. The half time talk was positive, with more of the same being the general theme.

Mid Somerset came out strong in the second no doubt buoyed by their first goal and determined to make a comeback.

They managed to equalise with a well struck finish. Chard heads did not drop, if anything they were more determined and the effort and tempo of the team far outweighed that of Mid Somerset and their four subs.

Jaffe's hassling of the 16s eventually paid off with a well timed interception and a calm finish rocketing into the bottom corner.

After this Chard really had to grit their teeth and hang on with back four of Nathan Johnson, Jonny Crease, Riley Millet and Bertie Lupton putting a determined shift in at the back.

They held out for a first well deserved victory in their newly-promoted season.