Toolstation Western League
First Division
Welton Rovers 0, Chard Town 0

CHARD Town came away with a share of the points from Welton Rovers on Saturday, writes Mike Froom.

The “winner” on this cold day was the gale force wind which dominated the game and prevented any quality football from either side.

The elements were behind Welton in the first half but it was Chard who nearly went ahead after only two minutes, as Pat Golden’s free-kick from just outside the area hit the post and glanced away from the goal line.

Welton then put pressure on the Robins, with efforts striking the bar and another cleared off the line.

Chard continued to battle against the wind and had the best opportunity to score when, on 17 minutes, a good move down the right flank saw an open goal chance missed from close range.

Most of Welton’s attacks amounted to little, except for a header from a corner on 24 minutes hitting the bar, and a good save by Robins ‘keeper Jon Hill following a free-kick on 38 minutes.

The wind continued to dictate play after the break, and Ryan Mason and Taoufik Ben-Salem could not break the deadlock for the visitors, for whom Max Westlake made a welcome return.

Minutes later Jack Dicker brought down a Welton forward when through on goal, and the resulting free-kick was on target, only for Hill to punch the ball away for a corner.

Scott Martin and Stephen Friend came off the bench late on, and home goalkeeper Charlie Phillips denied Shaun Wells-Burr and James Boyland just before the final whistle.

Chard: Jonathan Hill, Patrick Golden, Ryan Mason, Shaun Wells-Burr, Jack Dicker, Luke Jackson, Scott Jakeman (Max Westlake 73), Jake Wolfe, Taoufik Ben-Salem (Stephen Friend 90), Bradley Miles (Scott Martin 80), James Boyland. Sub not used: Kieran Bailey.