Toolstation Western League
First Division
Chard Town 1, Radstock Town 2

CHARD Town were unable to carry the form that had seen them lead league pacesetters Westbury United 4-2 until the match was abandoned on Saturday, as they lost out at home to Radstock Town in their midweek fixture.

The Robins started brightly with some close attacking football for the first 30 minutes of this game, following an opening goal after only four minutes' play, when from a left-wing cross Liam Cleal scored.

New signing Alex Stafie then saw a powerful shot well saved by the visitors' goalkeeper on 32 minutes.

Radstock then came more into the game with a number of chances wide or over the bar, and the equalised in the 35th minute, when James Rustell scored from a corner, squeezing the ball through a packed home defence.

Chard again started the second half on the attack, with a free-kick on 48 minutes, a shot into the side netting on 52 minutes and a long-range shot from Andy Holmes some five minutes later.

After further efforts going adrift, the Robins were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty for a foul by the Radstock keeper.

But after consulting the assistant on the line the referee awarded a free-kick just outside the area, with Stafie’s shot just clearing the bar.

Radstock immediately pushed into the Chard area, and with the defence out of position, Rustell went through to claim his second goal on 76 minutes.

Brad Miles had a scoring chance late in the game from close range, but shot over the bar, and debutant Ollie Pearson also fired over.

Radstock ran out winners to claim the valuable three points, with Chard no doubt ruing the missed scoring chance on a miserable, wet night.

That leaves the Robins 20th in the table, ahead of this Saturday's match away to seventh-placed Keynsham Town (ko 3pm).

Chard Town: Hill, Pearson, Bailey, Holmes, Haines, Howell, Cleal (Ryan Down 85), Westlake, Duarte (Miles 68), Boyland, Stafie. Subs not used: Luke Jackson, Nick Jacobs.