Uhlsport Somerset County League
Premier Division
Chard Town 3, Watchet Town 2

CHARD Town fought back from 2-0 down to beat Watchet Town on Saturday, and secure their first win of the 2019/20 season.

This was the Robins' first home match of the new campaign, but they found themselves behind inside the first minute, Tom Sparks scoring for the visitors.

The home side responded well, with James Boyland having a shot well saved by the Watchet goalkeeper, and Marky Jones also coming close.

But the visitors always looked dangerous, and they increased their lead on 37 minutes, when Jamie Milton's powerful free-kick from just outside the box flew straight into the net.

However, the turning point in the match came on 40 minutes, as Chard keeper Owen Searle brought off a great penalty save, diving low to his right-hand side.

In the second half the Robins upped their game, with efforts on goal coming from Stephen Friend and then Boyland, following a good move through the middle of the park.

On the hour mark, a penalty was awarded to Chard following a free-kick, and Friend made no mistake with the spot-kick to bring the score back to 2-1.

Minutes later, following another good move down the left flank, Liam Cleal was in position to go through and equalise from close range.

The hosts applied more pressure, with the Watchet keeper pulling off a brilliant save from Friend’s strike, to be followed by a header glancing off the far post.

The winner came with 10 minutes to go, Boyland going through to score with a first-time shot, to complete a good all-round team performance and deserved three points.

Chard Town: Owen Searle, Daniel O’Connor (Ryan Mason), Thomas Salter, Andrew Holmes (c), Connor Richardson, Harry Boddington, James Boyland, Josh Lukins, Stephen Friend (Thomas Stephens-Fouracre), Marky Jones (Dan Collins), Liam Cleal.
Sub not used: Luke Jackson

Chard are without a match this coming weekend; they return to action away to Westfield, in the Somerset FA Senior Cup first round, on September 7.