Toolstation Western League - First Division
Chard Town 5, Corsham Town 2

ON a rain-affected pitch which made good football difficult the Robins scored three goals in the last 10 minutes to give the appearance of a comfortable victory, writes Rod Harrington.

In fact, despite a dominant first-half performance, it was anything but.

Question marks over the fitness of a number of key players, particularly in defence, gave Paul Down some shuffling to do.

Indeed, goalkeeper Jon Hill was carrying an injury which prevented him from taking goal-kicks throughout the game.

Yet a confident start to the game saw the home side a goal to the good after just two minutes.

It came from the boot of the impressive Brad Miles, who volleyed a clearance into the net following a Scott Martin corner.

Miles was to the fore again when his effort brought off a fine one-handed save from the Corsham keeper, before James Boyland increased the lead on 20 minutes.

From another corner sent over by Martin he latched onto a loose ball to give the keeper no chance, and the Robins were comfortably on top.

Scott Jakeman hit the side netting with a speculative effort with the keeper out of his ground and Martin had a thunderous free kick tipped over the bar.

Then, a minute before the break, Josh Bright nipped in to reduce the arrears.

The second half was a different story, with the Wiltshire side making a spirited comeback playing down the slope.

Another good attempt by Bright was followed by the equaliser, when defender Jon Bazley smashed the ball home following a corner on 56 minutes.

For a time the Robins' defence took a pounding, chances falling to Matthew Legg and Adam Mitchell.

Mitchell should really have put the visitors in front when, having skipped round Hill, he fired into the side netting with the goal at his mercy.

Despite, or perhaps because of, the underfoot conditions it was entertaining stuff, and Chard had their moments too, particularly on a couple of occasions when Boyland was well positioned.

With the result in the balance, Jakeman got Chard's nose in front again after fine work by Miles on 81 minutes.

Three minutes later Boyland finished well from a long ball to increase the lead further.

Then, in time added on, Martin fired in a rebound from his original effort to give the Robins an impressive-looking victory.

Chard: Jon Hill, Dave Duarte, Ryan Mason, Shaun Wells-Burr (Jake Wolfe 75), Jack Dicker, Matt Howell, Scott Jakeman (Pat Golden 84), Luke Jackson, Scott Martin, Brad Miles, James Boyland. Subs not used: Taoufik Ben Salem, Kieran Bailey, Max Westlake.