Toolstation Western League
First Division
Chard Town 2, Roman Glass St George 2

A JOE Swift penalty, a minute into injury time, robbed Chard Town of their first win of the season on Wednesday night after they had come from behind, writes Kerry Miller.

An entertaining game which started in dry conditions ended rain-sodden with honours even, after Robins keeper Jon Hill had saved an earlier spot-kick.

The visitors had the first efforts on goal, with Ryan Dunn shooting over and Rhys Hodgson finding Hill with his strike.

Chard’s Luke Jackson then raided down the left to cross for Taoufik Ben-Salem to steam in and miss by inches, before Ben Haines saw his shot cleared off the line on 15 minutes, after James Boyland had beaten keeper Josh Dempsey to the ball.

The game continued in an end-to-end manner, with Boyland shooting wide from a good position and Jacob Watson crashing a shot against the post with Hill beaten, just before the half-hour mark.

Steve Friend set up Brad Miles to strike, only for Chris Quinton to block, and seconds later Robins defender Nick Jacobs tripped Jason Burt in the area.

However, Burt saw his spot-kick and the rebound beaten away by Hill, and Chard survived.

It finished goalless at half time, but Roman Glass boss Andy Gurney was shown a red card for having too much to say to referee Ian Parsons.

Within a minute of the restart, the visitors were ahead, as Sam Wentland found space to nod in from a corner, just as the heavens opened at Zembard Lane.

The home side were level 10 minutes later, though, as Max Westlake's free-kick went straight in at the near post.

And it was 2-1 to Chard soon after, as Dempsey got into trouble with a backpass, Boyland robbed the goalkeeper, and Friend capitalised on the loose ball to score.

Ken Oni looked to equalise almost immediately, only to be denied by a superb double save from Hill, who also made a flying save from substitute Swift.

With seconds remaining, Pat Golden upended Wentland in the box, and Swift crashed home the penalty for a dramatic equaliser.

Roman Glass' point keeps them mid-table, while Chard have two points from four games and will be looking for more at Malmesbury Victoria tomorrow (ko 3pm).

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ILMINSTER Town play their second match in the Somerset County League Premier Division tomorrow, at home to Wrington Redhill (ko 3pm).

Under caretaker manager Chris Nezianya, the Blues will look to build on a good point away to Odd Down Reserves on the opening day.

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COMBE St Nicholas bounced back from a chastening opening day defeat to draw at Glastonbury on Wednesday night.

Beaten 8-0 by Street Reserves last Saturday, Combe took a point away from Glastonbury after the Somerset County League Division 1 West match finished 2-2.

Jordan Allen's strike and an own goal gave Combe a share of the spoils.

Tomorrow sees them on their travels again, away to Burnham United (ko 3pm).