YEOVIL AND PETTERS VISIT TO CHARD.
THE TOWN'S SPLENDID EXHIBITION.
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CHARD TOWN 1 YEOVIL & PETTERS 3
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The visit of Yeovil and Petters’ Western League team to Chard on Wednesday evening met with great success from all points of view.
The exhibition between this Yeovil team and the newly formed Town Club was looked forward to with much keenness and a fine crowd of over 2,000 was in attendance on the Holyrood Mill Ground in Union Lane (lent by kind permission) when the teams lined up at 6.15.
A kit was acquired consisting of red and green vertical striped shirts with white collars, white shorts and black socks with green tops. These colours were based on on those of the town's cricket club at the time.
For some considerable time, the formation of a football club was looked upon as very necessary in Chard, and now that one was formed and this rather big undertaking to put out an eleven to meet the team of Yeovil and Petters was entered upon, it was with not a little interest that the match was anticipated. By this trial - and it was a good trial - would it be known what sort of team Chard could put forward to enter senior football, and now that is all over the committee may rest assured that Chard will possess a team of which the whole town and neighbourhood may be proud.
The exhibition given on Wednesday by a team which had not previously played together was really encouraging, and the football displayed came as a surprise even to the Yeovil men.
With a little luck, as the visiting captain expressed it the result might very have been a draw, but although the opinions expressed are very different it was quiet evident that the Yeovil team did not, during the whole of the game, exert themselves to the full. It is quite true, however, that they did extend themselves in the second half, and particularly during the latter stages of the game, when Chard team were playing really well.
Punctually at the advertised time – 6.15 - His Worship the Mayor of Chard (Ald. F.H Cornelius) kicked off down the bill for the visiting team, Follett having won the toss. For the opening quarter of an hour the Chardians were evidently suffering a little from ‘stage fright’ and Yeovil had matters very much their own way. The only score of this half came five minutes after the start, a free kick was awarded Yeovil just outside the penalty line and ABBOTT taking the kick, found the net, SPURDLE failing to hold the leather
One up in so short a time, many more were expected to follow, but when halftime arrived no further scoring had taken place. Chard gradually settled down and more even play was witnessed, but Gregory was very seldom troubled, Day and May proving equal to the demands that were made upon them. After about ten minutes the home team looked probable scorers but off-side put an end to a good combined effort. Directly afterwards MANNING was sent clean through by PHIPPEN, and he finished off with a grand low shot. but Gregory saved.
PILKINGTON ON the Yeovil right was very prominent with some good runs and fine centres, but the Chard defence prevailed. Corners were forced by both wings, but the Yeovil forwards were never allowed much scope for accurate shooting, TURNER being especially prominent with some telling work.
HAYWARD, that fine well known forward, however was, according to his reputation, ever quick to steer the ball towards goal, and when the Yeovil captain does shoot the safety of the net is very much in jeopardy. SPURDLE, in the Chard goal, had some terrific shots to deal with from this player, and also from the other inside men, but on the whole he was not seriously troubled, the backs covering the goal well. Once however, he had to deal with a difficult high dropping shot from the left, but he successfully tipped the leather ball over the bar.
Chard seldom became really dangerous in this half. They worked up occasionally near the visiting goal, but the Yeovil defenders generally came out on top, and GREGORY was rarely troubled. Taylor at inside left for the home team, was ever prominent with some good work and he often was responsible for setting the whole line well into action. Once he was practically , through when DAY rushed over and took the ball off his toe, and the same defender cleared well a dangerous centre from BREWER.
During the latter part of this half the Chard forwards were beginning to get more self-confidence, and MANNING began to show some of his fine footwork. However, when the interval whistle sounded with the score,
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CHARD……………….. 0 YEOVIL ……………. 1
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The Yeovil goal had never been dangerously assailed. The visiting team, without extending themselves to any marked degree, had easily held the upper hand, but in this second moiety they were compelled to put forth great efforts, in order to hold their own. The Chard team started off with a pleasing addition of energy, and throughout this half they had quite as much of the play as their opponents, and the goal that notched was easily the best of the match, The two additional points that Yeovil obtained were really gifts more than anything else, even if thye did com from the foot of HAYWARD.
Directly on re-starting Chard swept down and PHIPPEN after manoeuvring gave nicely to TAYLOR, who sent just wide. On they came again, however and the ball was sent across the goalmouth by MANNING, but TAYLOR failed to reach it, and MAY cleared. GREGORY soon after had to save a stinging shot from PHIPPEN, after he had received from HORNSELL, and then Yeovil with quick movement, soon had the ball at the top end and P NUTLAND sent over. It was SPURDLES turn now for a short turn of anxiety and he had to save on three or four occasions from PILKINGTON in particular. .After a cornet had been forced on the right, Chard obtained possession and the ball was soon sailing just wide of the visiting goal from the foot of PHIPPEN.
The ball for the remainder of this half travelled at express speed from goal to goal, but, if anything Cbard proved the more dangerous. MANNING was now displaying footwork of a high standard, and on several occasions GREGORY had some anxiety with his shots, once in particular when he just succeeded in turning a stinging shot round the post, Several corners fell to the homestars on the right, and although all and here it may be mentioned that throughout the game not one corner kick was sent behind-were well placed nothing material resulted.
It was after 25 minutes had slipped by that Yeovil obtained their second goal. A goal kick was rather weakly taken and HAYWARD tackIng on to the leather, sent in one of his terrific shots and easily found the net. SPURDLE being taken unawares; at any rate he made no attempt at saving, Soon after YEOVIL looked like increasing their score, when PILKINGTON with a fine solo effort got right through, but he finished by sending over.
Five minutes later however, Chard reduced the lead TOM PHIPPEN after good work sending in a grand Shot which hit the under part of the crossbar and bounded into the net. It was a good goal, well deserved.
With the score at 2 – 1 there was easily the possibility of Chard drawing level, but five minutes before time HAYWARD after working out to the left, sent across a dropping shot, which SPURDLE appeared quite confident of dealing with, but be misjudged the ball, and in attempting to punch away turned it just in under the bar.
This was a “bit of bad” for Chard but they set off as if determined to wipe off the deficit, and they experienced still more bad luck in not doing so. Just before time, TAYLOR put in a terrific cross shot which Gregory just managed to touch and the ball hit the woodwork at the junction of the crossbar and the left upright and glanced off into play and practically on time PHIPPEN put in a fine shot which went just over.
The game was a match better one than was generally expected in fact, it was really a good encounter. The play on both sides was of the cleanest possible type, and some pretty football was witnessed.
Chard are to be congratulated on the game they played, considering they were fresh one to the other. Without Yeovil’s last goal the result would have been fair – 2- 1 -
The football and general understanding shown by the three Chard inside forwards was very fine, but the wing men were far below par. The halves played a fine worrying game, BRAUND being especially proficient. The backs never really seemed at home, although HITCH played well at times, especially in the second half. SPURDLE in goal has given better displays.
The Yeovil team displayed fine footwork and understanding, HAYWARD and PILKINGTON being shining lights in the vanguard ABBOTT showed himself to be a really good halfback and the play of of SWEETMAN (in the place of ENGLAND at centre half) in feeding his forwards should have been a lesson to the many footballers who witnessed the game. The backs can kick most certainly, but not always to the advantage of their side. GREGORY showed himself to be a goalkeeper of ability, but had not the slightest chance with a PHIPPEN shot.
Yeovil’s visit to Chard is certainly a great favour conferred upon the town and is highly appreciated, but it is with some pangs of regret that one recalls the fact that the large crowd on Wednesday evening did not show to a very much greater extent their appreciation of the kindness of the Yeovil men. There were many pieces of delightful play that called for applause, but the response was poor, and as a result the spirit of the game was much marred. If Chard people wished to show their appreciation, then there was no better way of doing so than in the manner just mentioned.
The Chard Municipal Band was in attendance on the field and played suitable airs both before the match and at the interval, as well as to and from the field.
THE TEAMS
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CHARD TOWN; SPURDLE, HITCH, HAWKINS, BRAUND, TURNER, FOLLETT (capt), BREWER, MANNING, PHIPPENS, TAYLOR, HOUNSELL.
YEOVIL & PETTERS; JACK GREGORY, DAY, MAY, ABBOTT, SWEETMAN, POTTER, PILKINGTON, P.NATLAND, HAYWARD (capt), R.NATLAND, EVANS
REFEREE; MR F.H. WHEATON (SECRETARY, PERRY STREET & DISTRICT LEAGUE)
LINESMAN; MESSRS T. KIRKBY AND F. MILLER OF CHARD
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