Toolstation Western League
First Division
Longwell Green Sports 4, Chard Town 0

CHARD Town have now lost their last seven matches in a row, going down 4-0 at Longwell Green Sports on Saturday, a result which sees them sink to seventh in the First Division table.

The home side took advantage of some slack defending in the second half to add three further goals to their 1-0 half-time lead.

A strong crosswind did not allow either side to play controlled football but the hosts mastered the conditions better and settled down to produce several early attacking moves.

They opened the scoring on 20 minutes when a move down the right flank led to an accurate cross which was slotted past Chard’s reserve goalkeeper Alex Cunnold.

The Robins did then push forward, and created a scoring chance for Joe Smith, but most of the attacking moves came from Longwell Green, with a header over the bar on 30 minutes and a shot which cannoned off the bar shortly after.

Tom Salter, who had done well on the right wing, suffered a leg injury on 38 minutes and was replaced by Max Westlake.

It was 1-0 at the break, but the second half was only some seven minutes old when, following a handball in the area, Oliver Pearson received a red card and the resulting penalty kick was converted.

With Chard down to 10 men, Longwell Green piled on the pressure and created a number of chances, with several shots wide of the target.

Robins captain Kieran Bailey used his height well and contained the pressure on a number of occasions, but on 72 minutes Longwell Green increased their lead with a fluent move started from the left flank and a good finish past Cunnold.

Any move Chard made into the home area was wasted, with the lack of the necessary finish coupled with some good defending by home centre-back Jason Adams.

The fourth goal came on 83 minutes, capping off a good display and deserved three points for the home side, taking them above Chard in the league table.

Ali Bamford and Courtney Charles ended the day with two goals apiece for Longwell Green.

Chard Town: Alex Cunnold, Elliot Dyer, Oliver Pearson, Andrew Holmes, Kieran Bailey (c), Stephen Friend (Ben Haines 60), Thomas Salter (Max Westlake 38), Sam Smith, Ryan Parris, Joe Smith, Liam Cleal.

This coming Saturday, Chard will be looking to complete a league double when table-topping Cheddar are in town (ko 3pm).

In the reverse fixture in August, Chard won 3-2 – making them the only side to win at Cheddar in the league this season.