Les Phillips Cup 
Roman Glass St George 0, Chard Town 2

CHARD Town recorded their first victory of the season on Saturday with a Les Phillips Cup win on the 3G surface at Roman Glass St George.

Chard now visit Cadbury Heath in the First Round on a date to be confirmed.

A tight first half meant chances were limited for both sides. 

It was Chard who looked dangerous on the counter-attack, a pattern which became more apparent after the break. 

Taoufik Ben Salem missed a one on one and Liam Cleal and Brad Miles both had shots blocked after good link up play, as the hard-working wing-backs put in good shifts. 

Midway through the half, Kieran Bailey produced a superb goal-line block at a crucial point in the game. 

The deadlock was broken after 73 minutes when, from Max Westlake’s corner, Andy Holmes directed an excellent header past Josh Dempsey in the home goal to give Chard the lead. 

Four minutes later, Chard got a second when a large deflection from a Ben Salem shot left Dempsey flat footed.

Tempers became frayed in the closing stages, and in injury time an incident involving several players saw Roman Glass goalkeeper Dempsey and Chard’s Dave Duarte dismissed. 

It was not a perfect performance but a clean sheet, two goals and an overall solid display was exactly what was needed as a confidence booster after a poor start to the season.

Manager Paul Down said: “Two wins for the club are a much needed boost for everyone who have been working hard. 

“An excellent win for the reserves, who I have been impressed with in training. 

“The first team carried out the game plan perfectly against opposition who scored seven in midweek”

Chard: Jon Hill, Ben Haines, Nick Jacobs, Kieran Bailey, Andy Holmes, Liam Cleal (Scott Jakeman), Luke Jackson, Matt Howell, Max Westlake, Brad Miles, Taoufik Ben Salem (Dave Duarte). Not used: Shaun Wells-Burr.

NEXT up, Chard have a big local derby clash away to Sherborne tomorrow night (Wednesday) in the Toolstation Western League First Division (7.30pm).

The Sherborne encounter will prove fascinating as there are nine players on their books who have donned a Chard jersey and their manager Gerry Pearson was in charge at Chard for nearly three seasons, before moving up the football pyramid.

Steve Friend (a former Sherborne player) is added to the Chard squad at Sherborne. 

Devon & Exeter League Division 1
Chard Town Res 1, Lapford 0

CHARD Reserves got their league season off to a winning start with a 1-0 triumph over a Lapford side who were champions of Division 2 last season and were beaten just once in 26 league fixtures.

In a tough physical encounter it was mainly a midfield battle with defences on top.

The crucial goal came in the 80th minute when Sam Symes spotted the visiting ‘keeper off his line and coolly lobbed him from 40 yards.

Manager Ivor Hutchings had eight squad members unavailable and was delighted with a great start.

Chard Reserves were due to visit neighbours Perry Street last night (Tuesday) in the league.

Chard: Alex Cunnold, Ryan Parris, Chris Atyeo, Scott Wells Burr, Ryan Mason, Jake Board, Sam Symes, Harry Boddington, Andre Anjos (Dan Anjos), Jay Stewart, Nathan Finn.

Somerset County League Premier Division
Fry’s Club 2 Ilminster Town 2

THE Blues made the long trip to Fry’s Club in buoyant mood after a great start to the season.

The early stages of the game were cagey with both defences on top until, with half an hour played, Andy Whitefield cut in from the right to set up Richard Crabb who shot over the bar when well placed.

Five minutes later, great individual play by Whitefield ended with him hitting the crossbar with a cracking shot as the sides went in level at half-time.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first with defences dominant, but with 60 minutes on the clock the home side took the lead through a good header.

This only spurred Ilminster on and they drew level within two minutes through the dangerous Whitefield.

The game was becoming end to end and Fry’s took the lead again from a shot that went through a lot of bodies just evading the young Owen Male making his senior debut in goal.

The away team didn’t let their heads drop and equalised again within two minutes from a good team move which ended with Richard Crabb atoning for his earlier miss and finishing well.

Ilminster kept plugging away and the ever present Whitefield had a good shot saved by the home custodian with 10 minutes left on the clock as the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Devon & Exeter League Division 5
Ilminster Town Reserves 5, Hemyock 5

ILMINSTER Town Reserves began their league campaign with a 10-goal thriller against Hemyock on Saturday.

Renato Silva scored twice, with Ricky Anderson, David Miguel and substitute Wael Elkahla also finding the net as the points were shared.