Toolstation Western League
First Division
Chard Town 1, Sherborne Town 1

IN view of the close connections between these two clubs, this was an eagerly awaited encounter played in front of a good crowd.

Although the game had a few moments of interest it was, in large part, a scrappy and at times niggly encounter with only brief periods of any good football.

The visitors went ahead after only 12 minutes when striker Marc Caines was upended in the box, and defender Josh Williams stepped up for the spot-kick and calmly slotted home.

Playing down the slope, the Robins’ response was positive.

James Boyland turned a defender but his shot was saved, before the equaliser came on 22 minutes.

It was a fine goal, too, as from a free-kick near the halfway line the ball was neatly laid off to captain Taoufik Ben Salem, who forced his way through the visitors’ defence to drive the ball into the corner of the net.

This was followed immediately by an excellent save from Jon Hill at the feet of Sherborne’s Harry Vandervell when the striker might have been expected to score, to keep the scores level.

Until the break the game then stuttered, with a few bookings and little goalmouth action.

After the interval, half chances fell to former Robin Luke Jackson and Vandervell, and for a brief period the visitors had Chard on the back foot, albeit without creating very much.

Nevertheless, Jack Dicker tried his luck for the hosts with a looping header and Boyland fired a couple of efforts wide late on.

The game concluded rather tamely and a point each was probably a fair result.

Chard Town: Jon Hill, Ben Haines, Ollie Pearson, Andrew Holmes, Kieran Bailey, Jack Dicker, Max Westlake, Taoufik Ben Salem, Alex Stafie, James Boyland, Liam Cleal. Subs not used: Pat Golden, Stuart Parris.

Robins manager Paul Down said: “It was a typical local derby with lots of effort and commitment but lacking in quality and passing football, although playing conditions made life difficult.

“Defences were on top with chances at a premium. The early controversial penalty decision that went against us did not help the end result.”

***

Somerset Junior Cup quarter-final
Bishops Lydeard Reserves 4, Chard Town Reserves 4
(Lydeard win 4-2 on pens)

CHARD Reserves were knocked out of the Somerset Junior Cup when they were beaten on penalties following an extra-time thriller at Bishops Lydeard Reserves on Saturday.

Following a month’s layoff, Chard struggled early on and, despite a Dan Anjos goal, were trailing 3-1 after 55 minutes through a series of defensive mistakes.

However, Joe Draper and Nathan Finn came on as substitutes and the nature of the game changed, with Chard dominant.

In the 70th minute, Draper was brought down in the box and Darren Contreras netted from the spot.

Then, five minutes later, a good team move ended with Ryan Mason equalising from 12 yards.

In the last minute of normal time, Will Willetts was denied a winner when the home ‘keeper stuck out a boot to divert the ball behind for a corner.

But five minutes into extra time, Willetts beat his man and saw his cross-shot deflected into the net.

Bishops Lydeard equalised five minutes from the end of extra time, though, and went on to win the penalty shootout 4-2, with Octavio Lima and Harry Boddington successful from the spot for Chard.

Chard: Alex Cunnold, Ryan Mason, Ryan Parris, Gary Warren (Joe Draper 55) Chris Atyeo (Nathan Finn 55) Jake Board, Darren Contreras, Dan Anjos (Owen Dodd 115), Octavio Lima, Will Willetts, Harry Boddington.