TCS went to Chard with a sense that this may not be their day. A number of players were missing from the previous week's decimation of Ashmoor C and the trip to Chard is always a difficult match. Chard were flying high in the table and had a point to prove having had their 100% record ripped from them the previous week by East Devon C. The class was evident from early in the game as TCS spent very little time attacking the Chard D and a vast majority of time defending against a strong attack. In a moment of madness Jason Harris crossed a Chard player with a poor tackle at the top of the TCS D - a poor tackle yes but did it deserve the idiotic Chard player putting his hands in Jason's face, we didn't think so... Chard's umpire however 'did not see' this event (after suggesting he did but that he wasn't going to card the player after Jason's arguments). This signalled the beginning of the end of what should have been a good match between two sides pushing for promotion. Jason did however pick up a green card - I assume for attacking that poor Chard player's hand with his face.

Chard began a series of about 15 short corners most of which were wild and aimless including Dan Adams taking a shot in the chest from a yard away from what the player described as 'a shot on goal' leading Dan to try and explain the laws of physics to the Chard player - don't waste your time fella.

A goal followed shortly after from a slick move and another goal came in quick succession earning Chard a deserved 2-0 lead at half time. The umpire tried to have a word to calm the clearly upset Jason Harris but this was greeted with the silence it deserved as Jason walked towards the huddle. It must be pointed out that the usual powder keg on the team Dan Adams played a vital role in calming the side during half time.

The second half began well and saw TCS have more fortune attacking the Chard D however the game was soon to descend into a farce -
Jason Harris received a yellow card for well... nothing, in his own words he should have been sent before for several incidents but the umpire decided to invent the one that eventually saw him find the side line for the first of two trips to the naughty step. An angry supporter who has clearly viewed Chard umpiring before voiced his opinion on the matter and he was sent off too. After he refused it was made clear to TCS skipper Carter that it was his responsibility to deal with this... I hate to be a stickler but...

3 Captains
3.1 One player of each team must be appointed as captain.
3.2 A replacement captain must be appointed when a captain is suspended.
3.3 Captains must wear a distinctive arm-band or similar distinguishing article on an upper arm or shoulder or over the upper part of a sock.
3.4 Captains are responsible for the behaviour of all players on their team and for ensuring that substitutions of players on their team are carried out correctly.
15
A personal penalty is awarded if a captain does not exercise these responsibilities.

Maybe these rules should be made available - and deal with angry supporters in the correct way? maybe?

Regardless TCS were down to ten and this disadvantage showed as a Chard player was set free one on one with the TCS keeper. Despite encouragement from the skipper, Keeper Mike decided to wait for the shot and stand tall but the pinpoint shot found the bottom corner to make the score 3-0. Jason was welcomed back onto the pitch which had soured in his absence with players on both sides becoming frustrated with the play, players, umpires and just about everything else. Some very unsavoury things were said about the relatives of the skipper - just to clarify my mum wouldn't go near you fella, she's got far more class. Then came a questionable tackle from... you guessed it, Jason Harris who apparently kicked out at the Chard keeper but hey I'm following suit 'I didn't see it' this drew another green card and a comment from a Chard defender to the TCS skipper, I can't recall exactly but he was very upset with the style of tackling - you play physical you get physical big fella - man up. A further terrible tackle followed by Harris which saw him binned for the remainder of the game which played out without much incident.

A Chard player did try to provide some advice on sportsmanship towards the end of the game which was greatly received and shall be put on the shelf next to Hitler's guide to making friends and Lance Armstrong's 'clean racing'.

Chard ran out deserved winners but while this Chard team are blessed with some talented and strong players they would have whitewashed more teams in this league if they concentrated on the game rather than upsetting the opposition. Good luck in the league above and to East Devon - hopefully we will join you in a year.