SCREWFIX FIRST DIVISION: CALNE'S victory over Chard stretched their unbeaten run to six games and saw them rise to eighth in the table.

The home team were always in control of the game and deservedly picked up the three points thanks to a Glenn Armstrong strike in the 70th minute.

Chard rallied in the final five minutes but Calne defended well and held onto their advantage until the final whistle.

Manager Kelvin Highmore said: "It was another one of those games where they came for a point and would have been happy with 0-0.

"They never caused us any problems except for when they gambled in the last five minutes.

"They didn't trouble us but we didn't really set the world on fire either."

Calne when into the match having recorded back-to-back victories over Minehead and Westbury.

A strong swirling wind made high balls hard to judge and inhibited the flow of the game.

Calne played well in the first half but only managed to test Chard goalkeeper Stuart Parriss on two occasions.

In the 13th minute Ricki Summers crossed from the right for James Lye to lay off into the path of Glenn Armstrong but his left-foot shot was held by Parriss.

On 39 minutes Lye was fouled 22 yards from goal and Armstrong's direct shot was tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper.

The second half saw the wind favour Chard and on 50 minutes following an in-swinging corner Dan Harvey's goalbound shot was blocked and hacked clear by Graham Ford.

The visitors continued to press but found the Calne defence, marshalled by Chris Jones, a stubborn obstacle.

The winning goal went Calne's way in the 70th minute when teenagers Summers and Jake Jeffries combined and Summers' cross was flicked on by Gary Banks for Armstrong to drill home.

Chard pushed on in the dying minutes in search of an equaliser and Shane Scott fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

They repeatedly fired high balls into the Calne area but with Jones continuing to impress in defence the home side held out.

Highmore said: "Jake Jeffries on turned 17 on Saturday and he has done well as has Ricki Summers. Our under-18s are doing well and we have some very good players in there.

"It has got to the stage where we are going with these young lads until the end of the season instead of chasing players from other clubs."

On Saturday Calne travel to Street before the entertain Cadbury Heath on Tuesday night.

"Street beat us 2-0 at home and it will be a very tough game," Highmore continued. "That day they never even let us come to the races.

"They have an experienced midfield and we couldn't get near them. But this time we know what we've got to face.

"As for Cadbury they beat us at their place in a dire game where 0-0 would have been fairer.

"They've been getting some good results lately. But if we are on top our game then we are a match for anyone.

"We have pushed up to eighth and we are looking to continue our run."

Goalkeeper Dave Hunt (groin) is still out so Darryl Simms will continue to deputise. Darren Smart (holiday) will be back but Robbie Lardner (calf) is out for a few weeks.

Kevin Banks (knee) is resting for a week but could play and Gary Banks set to shake off a knock to his foot.

scalder@newswilts.co.uk