Toolstation Western League First Division
Chard Town 2, Devizes Town 4

THE Robins’ topsy turvy start to the season continued with this defeat to a resurgent Devizes side after a number of years in the doldrums.

Chard were without the influence of captain Taoufik Ben Salem and striker James Boyland and began with a slightly reshuffled pack.

Devizes started brightly and missed a number of good chances before Chard had an opportunity to open the scoring after 22 minutes.

Jack Dicker, playing up front, was felled in the box but Max Westlake’s spot-kick was duly saved by the Devizes keeper.

Nevertheless, the hosts went ahead eight minutes later when Alex Stafie cut in from the left before finding the tightest of gaps between the post and keeper to score.

However, in an open first half, the visitors drew level six minutes later as Jack Hopper beat a defender and laid on a neat pass to Tom Slater, who slid the ball past Jon Hill.

The Wiltshire side ramped up the pressure and when Jamie Walters was tripped in the box, having beaten his man, Slater stepped up to score number two from the penalty spot on 41 minutes.

The second half was only three minutes old when Devizes snatched their third with Matt Lever scoring from close range during a melee around the goalmouth.

Further chances fell to Slater and Hopper and it came as no great surprise when the visitors netted a fourth.

It was Slater again, who did the damage, completing his hat-trick.

He received the ball unmarked and advanced towards Hill, sliding the ball past him into the corner of the net.

It was an uphill task for the Robins who tried hard to get their game going.

They were duly rewarded when Stafie pulled a goal back three minutes from time when he poked the ball home from a free-kick to give the score a little more respectability.

Chard - Jon Hill, Ben Haines (Dave Durate 69 mins), Ollie Pearson, Andrew Holmes, Kieran Bailey, Matt Howell (Luke Jackson 65 mins), Max Westlake, Brad Miles, Jack Dicker, Alex Stafie, Liam Cleal. Sub (not used) - Stuart Parris.

CHARD Town have two away encounters coming up in the next week.

On Saturday, they visit Chippenham Park in the league (3pm) and then, on Tuesday night, travel to Western League Premier Division Shepton Mallet in the Somerset Premier Cup (7.30pm).

Reflecting on the Devizes defeat, Chard manager Paul Down said: “A poor 22 minutes either side of half-time cost us, conceding four goals as Devizes punished mistakes.

“Skipper Ben Salem is hoping to be fit for the Chippenham game but is no more than 50/50 and Boyland will be back, while Friend will have a run out with the reserves. 

“The Shepton match will be a nice distraction from the league.”