Toolstation Western League First Division

Chard Town 2, Bishops Lydeard 1

A most enjoyable and pulsating match at Zembard Lane on Wednesday night saw the Robins come back from a goal down to snatch victory in the latter stages of the game.

The Chard defence was clearly caught napping when Ryan Brereton volleyed in after only two minutes to put the visitors in front. 

Indeed, the pace and trickery of their attacking force, particularly Jordan Lovibond and Charlie Wilson, had the Chard defence at full stretch on a number of occasions. 

It was end-to-end attacking football and the Robins had their chances, with Taoufik Ben Salem, James Boyland and Kieran Bailey having some opprtunities which they couldn't quite snap up.

Whilst the visitors had probably edged the first period, Chard commendably came back after the break to level the scores on 57 minutes when Andrew Holmes fired through a cluster of players and the ball came off Liam Cleal into the corner of the net.

Bishops Lydeard had some excellent chances, particularly when Lovibond was faced with an open goal only for Bailey to deflect the ball for a corner and also when the same player hit the post. 

Substitute Steve Friend came on for Boyland and he immediately rewarded the home crowd with the winner on 81 minutes, as Ben Salem passed to Max Westlake on the edge of the box and his shot through a crowded penalty area was neatly defected past the Lydeard 'keeper.

These two well balanced sides meet again in the return fixture on Good Friday and it will be interesting to see if they can produce a game as entertaining as this one.

Chard Town - Jon Hill, Ben Haines, Ollie Pearson, Andrew Holmes, Kieran Bailey, Ryan Parris, Max Westlake, Matt Howell (Jack Dicker 82 mins), Taoufik Ben Salem, James Boyland (Steve Friend 75 mins), Liam Cleal (Ryan Mason 90 mins).

This Saturday, Chard host Cheddar while Ilminster Town welcome Wells City Reserves in the Somerset County League Premier Division.

Combe St Nicholas travel to Weston St Johns in Division 1W.