Somerset County League
Premier Division
Chard Town 0, Chilcompton Sports 1

CHARD Town slipped to the bottom of the table after a day of disappointment against another of the league’s better sides.

For the second week running it could have been a different story if only a couple of the numerous chances created had been snapped up.

It was, however, an entertaining game and Chilcompton proved to be a far better footballing side than the previous weekend’s opponents.

Steve Friend was drafted in to spearhead the attack and a start was given to the previous week’s goalscorer Alex Harper in midfield, with Tom Salter moving to left-back.

In a goalless first half, both sides came close on numerous occasions.

For the hosts, Salter came close when he shot just wide from an angle but the best chance was presented to Friend from one of Andrew Holmes’ long throws.

He leapt like a salmon at the far post, connected well with his head, but the ball fell agonisingly wide of the post.

Equally, the visitors had their moments, particularly when Jake Curtis sent a cracking shot onto the bar possibly via the slightest touch by the fingertips from the Chard keeper Owen Searle.

Searle was also in action just before the break when he stuck out a leg to prevent Jake Brooks-Scully from scoring.

Chard came out for the second period looked the more likely to score with Conor Richardson, Friend, Boyland and Harper all attempting to put chances away.

It was Chilcompton who were able to put the ball in the net, however, as Curtis was given just a bit too much time and space to rifle the ball past Searle for the winning goal on 67 minutes.

With the hosts now a little bit subdued, Curtis tried his luck again but Searle pulled off an admirable save.

In the dying minutes, substitute Marky Jones had a couple of good opportunities and then Ryan Parris attempted a back header on target to no avail.

Chard: Owen Searle, Dan O’Connor, Tom Salter, Andrew Holmes (Marky Jones 76), Conor Richardson, Ryan Parris, Alex Harper (Andre Anjos 82), Josh Lukins, Steve Friend, James Boyland, Liam Cleal.

Chard continue their run of difficult fixtures, when they visit third-placed Fry Club in the Somerset County Premier Division on Saturday (ko 3pm).

There is soccer at Zembard Lane, with Chard Reserves hosting Thorverton in the Macron Devon & Exeter League (ko 3pm).

The sides met a fortnight ago, with Thorverton edging the home clash 2-1.

Last week Chard were beaten 5-2 at Exwick Villa, despite goals from Christian Blango and Nathan Finn.

Chard Under-18s visit Cheddar in the Western Counties Floodlight Youth League next Tuesday (October 1, ko 7.45pm).

Reflecting on the 1-0 reverse against Chilcompton Sports, Chard manager Mark Parris felt that his side again deserved something from the game.

He said: “We matched last year’s champions and their goalkeeper made three excellent saves, but when you’re down, nothing goes for you.

“For the Fry Club fixture we should (with the exception of Luke Jackson) have a full squad available.”