Toolstation Western League

First Division

Chard Town 3, Warminster Town 3

THE Robins lost a little bit of ground on top two Cheddar and Keynsham on Saturday, when they were held to a draw by mid-table Warminster in an entertaining encounter at Zembard Lane.

Jamie Manley had a slightly depleted squad, handing a start up front to Dan Collins and bringing in newcomer Christian Blango.

Chard dominated the first half-hour and created a number of good chances, with the Warminster keeper tipping efforts from Blango and Ryan Parris over the bar.

Collins and Kieran Bailey also got in on the act, so it was something of a surprise when the visitors took the lead.

Jack Miluk received the ball just inside the box on 30 minutes and drew the defence wide before thumping the ball home from an angle.

However, the hosts wasted little time in establishing parity.

Just five minutes later Max Westlake, who was the driving force early on, sent over a corner which was lashed into the net by Parris steaming in towards the far post.

Only four minutes into the second half, the Robins forged ahead.

A neat series of passing moves in and around the box found Parris, who turned to place the the ball into the corner of the net from close range.

Perhaps the Robins defence relaxed a little, as on 55 minutes it was 2-2, with captain Charlie Walton taking the Chard rearguard by surprise by firing past Scott Wells-Burr from some distance for a fine goal.

The Robins retaliated well and just a minute later it was their distinctive weapon, an Andrew Holmes throw across the box, that did the trick, finding its way to Liam Cleal, who fired into the net.

The flurry of goals didn’t let up, and after 68 minutes the visitors drew level again.

This time it was George Butler who got his head to the ball and floated an accurate header over the advancing Wells-Burr.

Warminster will probably think that with more luck they might have snatched victory in the latter stages of the game.

First, Martin Johnson blazed wide with only Wells-Burr to beat, then substitute Connor McKay hit the post with the rebound falling to Johnson, who rattled the other post with his effort.

In hindsight the Robins may well rue the chances that came their way early in the game.

The only other downside was the number of bookings suffered, five, in a game that was competitive but never dirty.

Chard Town: Scott Wells-Burr, Elliot Dyer, Ollie Pearson, Andrew Holmes, Kieran Bailey, Ben Haines, Max Westlake, Ryan Parris, Dan Collins (Jacob Manley 89), Christian Blango (James Boyland 64), Liam Cleal. Subs not used: Thomas Hargreaves, Steve Friend.

This coming Saturday sees Chard head to Chippenham Park, who are second bottom in the table (ko 3pm).