A SUPERB goal from Mark Parris saw Chard Town deservedly beat neighbours Ilminster 1 – 0 in this disappointing Western League Division One match on Easter Monday.

Ilminster, already doomed to having to apply for re-election for the second successive year, pulled plenty of men back to defend in depth and they made life as difficult as possible for Chard.

However, the home side despite the absence of six first choice players kept their composure and in the end got their reward their territorial advantage warranted in the 53rd minute.

Ilminster started better and a mis-hit back pass from Paul Smith let in Steve Sloman but he lifted the ball narrowly over from a difficult angle.

With 11 minutes gone Brian McAuley in the Ilminster, goal had his first moment of danger ­­­­------- Paul Charles’ 25 yard free kick forcing him to push the ball away at full stretch.

Then Colin Silvester, from further out, sent a rasping shot inches over the Ilminster bar.

A sparkling Chard move on the half hour involving Bob Todd and Jason Osbourne saw Parris just fail to reach the low cross at the far post.

As Chard stepped up the pressure Graham Gold, Parris and Charles all went close.

And on the stroke of half-time Chard’s Todd got in behind the visitors defence beyond the far post. He latched onto to the Charles cross but his header flew across the face of the goal and inches wide of the opposing post.

Eight minutes into the second half Chard finally broke the deadlock. A long Charles throw saw Paul Dowson nod the ball down for Mark Lock to find Parris who beat McAuley with a superbly struck shot from a difficult angle ----- the ball going across the face of the goal and just inside the far post.

Four minutes later Andy Fish headed over from an Ilminster corner.

After a scrappy spell a burst from Charles, whose influence on the match grew as the game progressed, saw him foiled by the advancing McAuley and Todd’s follow up shot was blocked by a defender.

A minute later Charles fired just over with an angled drive and then McAuley did well to beat out Dowson’s fierce drive. Osbourne lifted the loose ball over the bar wasting a clear chance.

With just a couple of minutes left Ilminster substitute Paul Spurway put in their only on-target shot of the match, but Mike Murphy saved confidently.

Although the lively ball made it a scrappy game, which was poorly attended, both sides can gain some satisfaction.

Ilminster competed well with player manager Graham Spurway outstanding in their ranks. He has obviously made the best of Ilminsters limited resources.

Chard can point to the fact that they completed the double over their neighbours and have now won four of their last five games in spite of a staggering injury list.