Toolstation Western League
First Division
Calne Town 4, Chard Town 0

THE long trip to Wiltshire on Saturday saw Chard come away pointless against a side second from bottom in the Western League First Division table, writes Mike Froom.

The game was fairly even until a defensive error saw Calne go one goal up, but a critical 10-minute period in the second half saw the game slip away out of the reach of Chard with three further goals for the home side.

On a warm afternoon the game opened with a clear scoring chance for Chard in the first minute, but the home goalkeeper had no difficulty in covering the attempt.

On the bumpy pitch both sides found it difficult to control the ball, with chances not being taken at either end.

A good ball from Luke Jackson on 15 minutes provided a chance for James Boyland that was passed up, while at the other end Calne went wide minutes later.

But on 20 minutes, following a Chard attack, the home side pushed forward and a cross from the right flank found Steve Allison in position to score from close range, with Chard’s defence failing to clear their lines and giving stand-in keeper Pat Golden no chance to save.

The first half ended with Chard endeavouring to play neat football, but following two free-kicks and a chance headed over the bar from a corner on 44 minutes, the score remained 1-0 to the home side at the break.

The second half opened with Chard having a good opportunity to draw level on 50 minutes, when Boyland did well to go through the Calne defence, but with the ball difficult to control on the uneven surface his shot from 12 yards went well over the bar.

Five minutes later Calne virtually put the game out of Chard’s reach when from a free kick from 22 yards out Allison powered the ball home for his and Calne's second goal.

And on 60 minutes Allison, normally the home side's keeper but playing up front due to an arm injury, completed his hat-trick when he scored from a corner.

With the Chard defence all at sea Calne’s fourth goal came on 63 minutes, Aaron Witchal beating two defenders to score with ease past Golden.

In an effort to salvage something from the game Chard brought on two substitutes and pushed Taoufik Ben-Salem up front, but in spite of a shot hitting the side netting on 87 minutes and a good save by the home keeper, it was not going to be Chard’s day on their final away game of the season.

Chard Town: Pat Golden, Shaun Wells-Burr (Jake Wolfe 72), Luke Jackson, Andy Holmes, Kieran Bailey, Matthew Howell, Max Westlake, Taoufik Ben-Salem, James Boyland, Bradley Miles, Scott Jakeman (Ryan Mason 70). Substitute not used: Stephen Friend.