Toolstation Western League
First Division
Bristol Telephones 2, Chard Town 3

FOR their first visit to top-of-the-table Bristol Telephones, Chard Town upset the form book with a great display of football, to come away with the three points against a side who were previously unbeaten. 

Two early goals put Chard on top, with a brilliant James Boyland strike on 82 minutes sealing a good all-round team performance. 

Going straight into attack from the kick-off, the Robins saw Max Westlake go through with his shot parried out, and from a mix-up in the home defence Chard went ahead on three minutes courtesy of an own goal.

Their second came on 10 minutes when the hosts were under pressure and a backpass allowed the ever-alert Boyland to go through and score into the empty net.

Chard continued to have the best of the attacking play, with a corner on 35 minutes played out to Nick Jacobs, whose shot went across the face of the goal, together with a further effort by Boyland that went just wide. 

Telephones did win several corners, but the visitors looked more dangerous up front, with a Max Westlake shot which cannoned off a defender to the home keeper and a Taoufik Ben-Salem effort that was given offside. 

The Robins then lost Bradley Miles just on half time with a leg injury, and he was replaced by Liam Cleal. 

The hosts came out for the second half and immediately went on the offensive, using their widemen to put the Chard defence under pressure, and on 59 minutes Leon Britton scored with a diving header following a corner. 

Telephones continued to attack, with a shot just over the bar and another that forced Chard’s keeper Jon Hill into a brilliant save.

The Robins did have further opportunities, with the speed of Boyland and Scott Jakeman causing problems to the home defence.

But the home side equalised on 70 minutes, with a free-kick deflecting into the net off a Chard defender. 

Another fine save from Hill kept the vistors level, and the well-deserved winner came with eight minutes left, as Jakeman won the ball in midfield and provided an excellent through ball for Boyland to run onto, and he found the top corner with an unstoppable drive from some 25 yards. 

Chard Town: Jonathan Hill, Luke Jackson (Ryan Mason 74), Ben Haines, Andrew Holmes, Nicholas Jacobs, Matthew Howell (Jack Dicker 83), Max Westlake, Bradley Miles (Liam Cleal 42), Taoufik Ben-Salem, James Boyland, Scott Jakeman.

***

IN the Somerset County League, Ilminster Town claimed a 0-0 draw at home to Nailsea & Tickenham in the Premier Division.

Goalkeeper Chris May was the hero for Ilminster, making several excellent saves, while visitors Nailsea also hit the woodwork.

Ilminster are back in action on Tuesday night (ko 7.45pm), as they travel to Bridgwater Town Reserves.

It was a tough day for Combe St Nicholas in Division 1 West, meanwhile, as they succumbed 7-0 away to Uphill Castle.