Toolstation Western League
First Division
Chard Town 4, Bishop Sutton 1

CHARD Town entertained mid-table Bishop Sutton on Saturday, and after a frustrating first half they turned on the style in the second period to run out 4-1 winners.

The visitors had much the better of the early play with some accurate attacking football, but the Robins went ahead on 30 minutes and secured victory in a hectic final 25 minutes.

From the kick-off Bishop Sutton pushed forward, and drew a one-handed save from Chard goalkeeper Jon Hill on 10 minutes, followed by a corner that was cleared off the goal-line.

Coray Rawlings was causing the home defence quite a few problems, and a counter-attack brought a shot on target that was punched away by Hill.

Chard then came more into the game, with Alex Stafie and James Boyland started to link up, and on half an hour Liam Cleal put in a good ball for Boyland to go through and score the opener past keeper Jason Williams.

The hosts came out for the second half with a more positive approach, and Max Westlake and Cleal combined to give Boyland another sniff of a chance.

Boyland went off injured on 55 minutes, replaced by Steve Friend, but the Robins maintained the pressure on the visitors’ defence, with a Cleal’s shot from a Friend cross being saved.

The second goal for Chard came on 73 minutes, when a long ball by Andy Holmes into the box was met by Friend, who headed the ball over the keeper.

Cleal shot just wide of the post and minutes later the third goal came, as substitute Ryan Parris provided a good ball for Stafie to run through and score from close range in the 76th minute.

Bishop Sutton then got the goal their efforts deserved, as Mason Doggar went through from the right flank to score on 80 minutes.

The Robins, however, completed the victory five minutes from the final whistle, as Cleal’s first-time strike gave Williams no chance.

With only one loss in 10 matches, Chard remain in eighth position in the league table.

Chard Town: Jon Hill, Ben Haines, Oliver Pearson, Andrew Holmes, Kieran Bailey, Matthew Howell, Max Westlake (Patrick Golden 78), Octavio Lima (Ryan Parris 71), James Boyland (Steve Friend 55), Alex Stafie, Liam Cleal. Subs not used: Stuart Parris, David Duarte.

Manager Paul Down reflected: “It was another good result at home in difficult conditions for flowing football at the moment.

“Again we were solid at the back, with Andy Holmes outstanding, and we scored at crucial times in the game.”

The Robins are in action again tomorrow night (Tuesday, ko 7.30pm), travelling to 15th-placed Wincanton Town.