Uhlsport Somerset County League Premier Division

Chilcompton Sports 6, Chard Town 2

CHARD Town fell to a heavy defeat away to Premier Division holders Chilcompton Sports on Saturday.

The hosts were on the attack from the outset, taking the lead inside the first five minutes thanks to an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Chilcompton continued to attack, creating and spurning a number of chances, but the Robins were on level terms in the 17th minute.

The alert James Boyland took the ball through the middle, following an error in the home defence, and made no mistake with an accurate shot past the goalkeeper.

The visitors were only level for six minutes, though, as some poor defending allowed Ryan Gay to score from Kyle Wych's cross.

Chard did have their opportunities, with Boyland seeing a shot well saved and a further effort blocked by a defender, but the strong home side made it 3-1 five minutes before half-time, as Jake Curtis struck from outside the box.

The Robins narrowed the gap to 3-2 just a couple of minutes into the second half, as Danny Green got his first Chard goal with a first-time shot.

But with the light fading, Chilcompton wrestled back control, and Monty Burgess scored twice in 10 minutes to leave Chard 5-2 down with 20 minutes left.

The final goal came with two minutes to go, Dane Edwards completing an emphatic 6-2 win for Chilcompton.

This was a difficult day for Chard where a patched-up defence, due to injuries and unavailable players, never really dealt with the attacking play from a powerful home side.

Chard Town: Owen Searle, Ryan Mason (Marky Jones 80), Jake Board, Chris Atyeo (Ryan Lewis 80), Conor Richardson, Ryan Parris, Josh Lukins, Josh Gracie, Danny Green, James Boyland, Liam Cleal.

With Worle winning 3-2 at Stockwood Green, Chard are now bottom of the table; their next match is at home to Westfield on Wednesday (November 27, ko 7.30pm), before a trip to Stockwood Wanderers on Saturday (November 30, 2pm).

*****

Ilminster Town’s home match to Fry Club was one of many cancelled in the county due to waterlogged pitches.

Both Nailsea & Tickenham and Mendip Broadwalk have only played seven League matches this season and, with only four Saturdays until Christmas, both clubs are going to be well short of completing half of their league fixtures by the turn of the year which is always the aim.

Ilminster, who have played nine league matches, are also going to find it tough if we have a wet or very cold December and January.

With another unsettled week forecast, this time it is the turn of third in the Somerset County Premier League table Fry Club who will have the task of getting their ground ready for the visit of Ilminster, who remain in 11th place.

The match kicks off at 2pm.

******

Macron Devon & Exeter League Division One

Chard Town Res 1, Newtown Res 2

Despite producing the majority of goalscoring opportunities, Chard Town Reserves saw their three-match winning run come to an end as they suffered defeat by the odd goal in three at home to Newtown Reserves.

Newtown’s Joel Foster was the busiest of the two keepers and kept his team in the game on a number of occasions.

After making good stops from Nathan Finn and Dan Collins, he was forced to dive quickly to his left to turn a shot from Andre Anjos around the post.

However, from the resulting corner kick by Harry Perren, Tom Howlett rose above the defence to head the ball into the top corner to put Chard ahead.

The Robins came close to doubling the advantage five minutes later when Finn swept a low shot across the face of the goal and it required only the slightest of touches from Jon Nott to put the ball into the net, but the new signing failed to make contact and the opportunity was lost.

Eight minutes before the interval, Harry Boddington was sent to the sin bin following a confrontation with the referee and the visitors were quick to make use of their man advantage when Kaden Vittles levelled the scores.

The home side continued to carve out most of the chances after the interval with the best of these coming in the 62nd minute when Finn picked out Perren with a perfectly weighted cross, only for the youngster to put his shot over the bar.

With ten minutes remaining, Darren Contreras was sent to the sin bin and once again the visitors used their extra numbers to advantage, taking the lead and all the points with a well struck effort by Jack Gill.

The reserves were originally without a game next weekend, but now have a rearranged fixture which will see them make the journey to Exeter to take on second placed Alphington Reserves.

Team: Alex Cunnold, Andre Anjos, Craig McCann, Simon Loader, Tom Howlett (Liam Male 51min), Darren Contreras, Jon Nott, Harry Boddington, Nathan Finn (Gary Warren 67min), Dan Collins, Harry Perren. Sub not used: Ashley Fussell.