Devizes drop into trouble

6:10pm Thursday 30th October 2008

Devizes Town 1, Chard Town 1

DEVIZES Town were denied a win against Chard Town on Saturday by an in-form visiting goalkeeper and an injury to their own stopper.

Shaun Moffat and Kevin Whitbread’s side drew 1-1 against the Somerset outfit, to leave them without a home win in the Toolstation League Premier Division since mid-September.

Adam Giles gave Devizes the ideal start on 10 minutes when he bundled a cross from Dave Percival into the net.

The home side went in search of a second but were denied on several occasions by the inspired Chard goalkeeper.

At the other end, Devizes stopper Jez Hare twisted his ankle but bravely played on, as his team had no goalkeeper on the bench.

In the second half the home side continued to make opportunities, and Percival had the best of them following a defensive error, but fired straight at the goalkeeper.

With 20 minutes left Hare aggravated his injury as he caught a cross, weakening Devizes significantly in defence, as Hare’s movements were severely restricted.

Chard capitalised as a low cross from the left was turned in by the Chard striker, with Hare powerless to stop it.

Joint boss Moffat said: “It was just one of those games. We had lots of chances but didn’t put them away.

“Their goalkeeper played really well. I don’t know who got man of the match but he certainly deserved it.”

Matters worsened for Devizes’ league campaign on Wednesday evening, as they felt the full force of a rampant Bitton performance.

Hosts Bitton scored four goals in each half to cruise to an 8-0 victory.

This result leaves Devizes sitting dangerously in the table, as the lower-placed Ilfracombe Town and Barnstaple Town have games in hand over the Nursteed Road outfit.

Devizes are at home to local rivals Corsham tomorrow in a crunch league derby.

Forward Marcus Wallen does not need an operation after suffering a double leg fracture several weeks ago.