Somerset Premier Division: Chard Town 3-3 Keynsham Town Reserves

CHARD Town let slip a three-goal lead in their first home game of 2024 against Keynsham Town Reserves.

Jordan Clapp, Chard's leading goal scorer and Max Westlake were unavailable for the match but James Boyland returned, Jack Male and Jake Dennis were available from the squad.

Chard started well and pressed from the start, up the slope isn't easy.

After 15m a great corner from Joe Chamberlain to the back post caused confusion in the box, James Boyland had an attempt but it was then cleared out to Scott Wells-Burr on the edge of the area, with a spectacular half volley he put the ball in the back of the net. As a centre forward would do naturally, James Boyland claimed it deflected off him.

After an earlier collision and trying to continue for 25m Finlay showed a great deal of maturity and decided he was a weakness in the team and he was replaced by Jack Male.

On 37m another attack into the Keynsham box resulted in Scott Wells-Burr slotting the ball home.

A 2-0 score at half time is always a difficult result in football, and as expected Keynsham Reserves came out looking for a goal to get them back into the game and they pressed well and played some good football.

On 73m Jake Dennis came into the game and was involved straight away with a perfect ball for Joe Chamberlain to score. 3-0 and it looked like it was game over.

Five minutes later a corner from Keynsham Reserves to the back post was headed towards goal Jason Contreras had it covered until it was deflected of Scott Wells-Burr and into the goal. Not the hat-trick he was hoping for.

80m Ryan Mason replaced James Boyland and the team reshuffled with Liam Cleal pushed forward.

Keynsham got a free kick on the edge of the box on 88m and it was put into the top corner by Kyle Box for them to get their second of the afternoon.

Now it was time for Chard to keep the ball and see the time out. Easier said than done with Keynsham hungry for the equaliser and looking for a winner. Deep into extra time.

Their hard work paid off with a goalmouth scramble, a huge shout for handball was ignored they smuggled the ball into the net for a well deserved equaliser. The last few minutes they pressed for the winner and it was a huge relief for the Chard supporters to hear the final whistle.

After winning 3-0 and then giving three goals away felt like a defeat to everyone at Chard. There was some luck involved but you make your own and Keynsham Reserves worked hard for it and got their reward. Well done to you all.

Next week we are on the road to Mendip Broadwalk who have won 15 of their 19 games so it will be a hard game, hopefully we will get some luck, but we have to work hard for it.