South Devon League Div 4 Kingskerswell Res 1 Chagford Res 4 ON a hard, bumpy pitch, Chagford brought to an end a run of disappointing results and guaranteed their Division Four status for next season. This without a recognised first-teamer aboard. The first half belonged, mostly, to the home team with Chagford having to defend resolutely. Even so, the walls were breached midway through the half as Kings took the lead. Chagford clawed their way back with Haxton, Whatley and Hambly going close before the latter fired in a deserved equaliser ? his first reserve goal of the season. Manager Pearce?s half-time gamble of sending on his only sub (Dan Wise) was to pay dividends as this beefed up the visitors? attack. The match then went over to Jerome Whatley, with the in-form striker bagging a hat-trick (including a highly contested penalty). Whatley?s 12 goals in the last eight games have done much to help the side through a difficult couple of months and, although not always match winners, his strike rate has kept self-belief high. Wise also had the ball in the net, late on, but it was ruled out for off-side although it was Whatley encroaching but, for once in the game,inactive. Kingskerswell mounted what attacks they could but again found Chagford packing their defence and protecting their goalie, who dealt capably with what ever did get through. The Moormen were happy to travel home with maximum points. On Saturday Chagford entertain Newton 66 Reserves.
