Toolstation Western League First Division
Oldland Abbotonians 1, Chard Town 3

A GREAT team performance saw Chard Town come away from Oldland Abbotonians with a comprehensive 3-1 victory that lifted them to sixth in the table, writes Mike Froom.

The opening stages of the match saw the home side put together the best attacking moves with a chance over the bar on 20 minutes.

Chard, however, soon got their game together with a shot from Matt Howell on 25 minutes.

Then, following a pinpoint Scott Jakeman cross from the right flank, James Boyland got through the home defence with some excellent footwork to beat the home goalkeeper Shaun Semmens with an unstoppable shot from a wide angle.

Two minutes later, Boyland was brought down in the penalty area after another good run.

Luke Jackson stepped up to power home the spot-kick for the second goal and his fourth penalty of the season.

The Robins continued to try and build on their lead, and the remainder of the half saw them produce most of the attacking play, together with a succession of corner kicks, going into the break well on top.

The second half saw Oldland pushing hard to get back into the game with an early shot well covered by Chard’s goalkeeper Jon Hill.

Chard then lost Matt Howell with a leg injury, and substitute Stephen Friend immediately got into the game with a header just wide on 58 minutes.

The home side did set up some moves into the Chard area, with a corner and a scoring chance straight at the ‘keeper on 62 minutes.

However, Chard virtually put the game out of the reach of The Blues when a good ball from Stephen Friend found James Boyland and, when his shot was parried, Bradley Miles followed up and scored from close range.

Oldland did set up some further moves into the Chard half but their efforts were dealt with by a resolute defence, with Luke Jackson dominant in the air, ably supported by Jack Dicker and the rest of the back four.

Late in the game, following a free-kick for the home side headed off the line and a save by Jon Hill, they did get a consolation goal on 80 minutes when Gary Shorney scored.

It was not enough to disrupt Chard, who ran out worthy winners to complete the double following their 3-0 victory over the same opponents earlier in the season.

Chard: Jonathan Hill, Patrick Golden, Ryan Mason, Luke Jackson Jack Dicker, Matt Howell (Stephen Friend), Jake Wolfe, Bradley Miles, Taoufik Ben-Salem (Scott Martin), James Boyland, Scott Jakeman.