Toolstation Western League
First Division
Wells City 2, Chard Town 0

CHARD Town went down to a goal in each half against a home side reinforced by two loan signings from Southern League side Street.

Chard sat third in the table but Wells City are hot on their heels, coming off a 3-0 win over league leaders Cheddar in midweek.

To their credit the Robins played their part in a competitive game, but the wet conditions did not allow for passing football.

In the opening stages Wells set up the first chance with a powerful shot on target which was well saved by Chard goalkeeper Scott Wells-Burr.

Shortly afterwards a good ball upfield found Max Westlake breaking through the home defence, only for his shot to be just wide of the target.

Then, on 17 minutes, Craig Herrod showed his class from the higher level with a perfectly-placed cross from the left flank for Lewis Williams to fire Wells ahead from close range.

Both sides endeavoured to play attacking football, with the home side using the conditions well with long balls and putting together several good moves, but the Robins' well-drilled defence kept them at bay.

Late in the first half Wells-Burr brought off a great save, while at the other end a Chard corner led to a goalmouth scramble and the ball just cleared the crossbar.

The second half saw Wells win several corners, and a second goal came on 60 minutes, when from a well-placed delivery into the Chard area led to Williams scoring his second goal with a towering header.

In an effort to get something from the game, the visitors changed their formation somewhat, with the introduction of substitutes James Boyland, Stephen Friend and Christian Blango.

They set up several good moves, with a Boyland chance snaffled by the home keeper a Friend shot flying just over the bar, but they could not break down a packed Wells defence.

In spite of the loss, Chard retain third position on 49 points, one point ahead of Calne Town and six ahead of Wells.

Chard Town: Scott Wells-Burr, Ben Haines, Oliver Pearson, Elliot Dyer, Kieran Bailey (c), Matthew Howell, Max Westlake (Christian Blango 67), Nathan Warren, Ryan Parris (Stephen Friend 67), Sam Smith, Liam Cleal (James Boyland 67).

After a run of one draw and two losses from their last three games, Chard will hope to bounce back at home to the division's basement side Bristol Telephones this Saturday (ko 3pm).