Toolstation Western League First Division
Chard Town 3, Radstock Town 2

FOLLOWING an enforced two-week break, Chard Town came into this match with almost a full squad and hoping to build on the fine victory at Cheddar.

The home crowd were not to be disappointed as Chard gained a well-deserved victory against visitors Radstock.

The hosts set up some good attacking moves from the off and created an early chance which flashed across the Radstock goal.

An opening goal soon followed on 15 minutes when, from an accurate corner, Oliver Pearson headed home at the near post.

Some well-judged passing followed, leading to Nathan Warren firing narrowly over from 25 yards as Chard looked for a second.

However, the visitors defended well to go into half-time trailing by just a solitary goal.

The second half began with Chard on the attack and they doubled their lead on 46 minutes when man of the match Warren fired home a first-time strike from the edge of the area.

A minute later came number three, as Liam Cleal ran through and slotted past Radstock ‘keeper Jack Scrivens.

The Robins continued to press forward but Radstock got one back on 57 minutes with a good shot from 20 yards out.

Max Westlake shot narrowly over and Ollie Pearson thundered a 35-yard free-kick against the crossbar as Chard searched for a fourth, though it was Radstock who scored next as a header was converted four minutes from time.

Chard rode out what could have been a nervy finale to secure a deserved three points to take them up to sixth.

Chard Town: Scott Wells-Burr, Ben Haines (Elliot Dyer 85), Oliver Pearson, Andrew Holmes, Kieran Bailey, Matthew Howell, Max Westlake (Tom Salter 80), Nathan Warren, Ryan Parris, James Boyland (Jacob Manley 81), Liam Cleal

CHARD Town FC are holding a quiz night on Friday, September 21 in the clubroom at Zembard Lane.

Teams of up to six persons are permitted, with an entry fee of £1.50 – arrive at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Somerset County League Premier Division
Stockwood Green 3, Ilminster Town 2

ILMINSTER travelled to Stockwood Green on Saturday as two unbeaten sides went head-to-head.

Last season’s draw specialists Stockwood Green have once again proved hard to beat, but as last season had been finding it difficult to win.

Ilminster started well and forced an early corner, from which centre-half Sam Tratt headed home to give his side a fifth-minute lead.

There followed an unsettling 10 minutes where the Blues found themselves all over the place and Stockwood equalised from a direct free-kick.

Blues top scorer Taylor Jefferson then had a couple of half chances but failed to add to his season’s tally, and the striker then picked up an injury as a clearance from the goalkeeper caught Jefferson on the wrist - the young striker will be out for some time with a double fracture.

Andy Whitefield replaced the unlucky Jefferson and Ilminster were well on top going into the break, which arrived with the scores level.

Stockwood are a big physical side and very useful at home and they went 2-1 up after 55 minutes, when once again poor defending led to a free header from a set piece.

Ilminster then started to play some good football but they were caught on the break and Stockwood's forward was brought down for a penalty, which was put away.

At 3-1 down for the first time this season heads visibly dropped in the Blues ranks but 10 minutes from the end the experienced Alex Paul, who never gives up, won and converted a penalty to give his side hope.

The same player went close to the equaliser from a free kick that was well saved but Ilminster couldn't find an equaliser.

The difference between the sides was that Stockwood took their chances and Ilminster really gave them all three goals, but the loss of Jefferson didn't help and the club wish him a speedy recovery.

More bad news arrived as Sam Tratt also looks set for a few weeks on the treatment table with a torn hamstring.

Ilminster Town: Joe Draper, Luke Paul, Adam Male, Sam Tratt, Doug Whitfield, Brad Pitman, Brad Miles, Alex Paul, Ben Pitman, Charlie Rutter, Taylor Jefferson. Subs Used: Andy Whitefield, Carl Lazenby

Next week it is back to Stockwood again for Ilminster, as this time Stockwood Wanderers are the hosts.

South West Women's Premier
Keynsham Town 6, Ilminster Town Ladies 1

ILMINSTER opened their league campaign with a tricky test away to Keynsham. 

Tia Shoemark and Lucy Pitman got their first call-ups into the first team. 
Keynsham started quickly and they broke the deadlock in the ninth minute. 

Ilminster started to get the ball moving around well but couldn’t create a clear chance on goal.

Shoemark went close around the half-hour mark with a header but Keynsham doubled their lead with a good piece of play. 

Ilminster almost pulled one back on the stroke of half-time, but Sarah Miller couldn’t direct her header on target.

The second half saw Ilminster look brighter for the opening stages and, in the 59th minute, Charlie Pettinger pulled one back following good work from captain Sarah Miller and Lucy Pitman.

Four minutes later, Keynsham go the third after Ilminster failed to deal with a long ball over the top.

Ilminster conceded three further goals before the final whistle.

Their next game is in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Cup away to last season's league winners, Buckland Athletic, on September 23.

Ilminster: Charlotte Johnson, Georgia Coward, Daisy Charles, Charlie Pettinger, Tia Shoemark, Sarah Miller (c), Dee Clarke-Trott Cracknell, Lesley Spearing, Maisie Parker, Colette Martin, Abbie Carslake. Sub: Lucy Pitman.