Toolstation Western League First Division

Ashton & Backwell Utd 1, Chard Town 3

A QUALITY team performance by Chard Town in a fast-paced and competitive match at Ashton & Backwell on Saturday saw them come away with three points which lifted them to the top of the table.

Ashton & Backwell took a 10th-minute lead through a penalty by George Jones and had the best of the play for the first half an hour.

Although both sides created openings, Chard could not produce the required finish with two scoring opportunities over the bar and other chances wide.

However, on 34 minutes, the home side lost their slender lead when a well-judged free-kick by Ollie Pearson found Max Westlake, who produced a first time drive which gave home ‘keeper Ryan Clarke no chance.

Just seven minutes later, Chard went ahead when Nathan Warren scored from 20 yards out with a looping shot which cleared the ‘keeper for a 2-1 lead just on the half-time whistle.

Chard added to their lead on 54 minutes when an unmarked Ryan Parris scored his side’s third, slotting home at the far post.

Ashton & Backwell endeavoured to get back into the game with several efforts dealt with by Chard’s ‘keeper Scott Wells-Burr, together with further chances for both sides, but the score remained at 3 -1 to Chard.

This was a deserved victory after a well-controlled defensive performance with some good attacking play together with the three well-taken scoring opportunities.

Chard: Scott Wells-Burr, Elliot Dyer, Oliver Pearson, Andrew Holmes, Kieran Bailey, Ben Haines, Max Westlake, (Alex Harper 87) Nathan Warren, Ryan Parris Liam Cleal, (Dan Collins 85) Thomas Salter. Sub not used: Jacob Manley