Uhlsport Somerset County League Premier Division

Chard Town 2, Clevedon United 3

Chard could so easily have come away with at least a point from this game of two halves affected to some extent by the fierce westerly wind, writes Rod Harrington.

The first half belonged to the hosts against second-placed opponents who initially seemed particularly ordinary.

Attacking down the slope with the wind the wind at their backs, the Robins dominated proceedings.

The game came to life on 20 minutes when, following a throw-in, Billy Sheehan turned quickly outside the box and unleashed a superb shot into the corner of the net.

Only a minute later, a most bizarre goal extended Chard’s lead.

The Clevedon keeper, under little pressure, slipped and miskicked the ball only for the wind to do the rest and spin the ball back into the net.

For the visitors, Mitch Lane came dangerously close with a threatening strike but it was Chard who looked the most likely to score with chances going begging including a couple of Ryan Parris headers just wide.

There was a likelihood that the second half would be a different story and so it eventually transpired.

The writing was on the wall when Jack Thorne and Lane came close to scoring and defender Chris Thomas got forward to head onto the bar.

However, the hosts still threatened on occasions with James Boyland striking the bar.

Unfortunately, Chard began to give away free-kicks in threatening positions and it was from such an opportunity for the visitors that led to Clevedon’s first goal.

Jack Thorne flighted his well-taken free kick out of the reach of Owen Searle to halve the deficit on 70 minutes.

Boyland then came close before the equaliser came just three minutes later, with Mike Purnell following up after a shot had hit the post.

Still Chard rallied and Liam Cleal, bearing down on the keeper, saw his shot go just wide.

With nine minutes to play, the Robins found themselves defending another free-kick which would be taken by Thorne in a similar position to that a few minutes earlier.

The warning signs were flashing and again he made no mistake, floating in an accurate ball which Searle had no chance of stopping.

The Robins were somewhat unlucky on the balance of play to come away with nothing but there are encouraging signs that they can compete with the best sides in the league.

Chard: Owen Searle, Alex Harper (Dan O’Connor 88), Ryan Mason, Tom Hargreave (Sam Spurway 86), Conor Richardson, Ryan Parris, Billy Sheahan, Matt Howell, Adam Cole (Jake Board 72), James Boyland, Liam Cleal.

Uhlsport Somerset County League Premier Division

Ilminster Town 0, Mendip Broadwalk 4

ILMINSTER were forced into changes with all three central defenders from the last home match against Watchet Town missing, writes Andy Fish.

Owen Burn, who is having a great season was on holiday, skipper Doug Whitfield is still out with an ankle injury and Kris Hastings has returned to Wincanton Town in the Western League.

With Carl Lazenby,Brad Pitman and Richard Crabb all still out with injuries, the Blues are beginning to look a little light on numbers for the first time since the beginning of the season.

The return of central defender Jonny May gave the team a boost, while manager Charlie Rutter came in to the defence alongside Scott Wells-Burr, who was helping the Blues out with his parent side Bridport not having a match.

Mendip Broadwalk, who reside in Knowle, south Bristol, were promoted as Champions of Division 1 last season and arrived sat third having gone unbeaten in the league since August 31.

Ilminster, themselves are unbeaten in the league since the same date, knew they were in for a tough afternoon but as early as the 10th minute when Jonny May went down after twisting his knee, forcing him off injured.

Lewis Bolland, 16, who has impressed in the reserves, came on as wing-back while Luke Paul moved into the centre of defence alongside Rutter and Wells-Burr.

Mendip took advantage of the changes and twice threatened with good moves but failed to score.

Ilminster then had their first attack as Lee Sweet crossed for Taylor Jefferson, who could not keep his shot down.

Mendip then attacked down the right and skipper Tom Milkins was given far to much room as he cut inside before prodding the ball home to make it 1-0 in the 16th minute.

The visitors increased their lead when Bolland, who had got back well, let his man turn and cross for Lee Pitman to make it 2-0.

With half an hour on the clock, Ilminster finally got a foothold in the match, as Will Spurway began to make his side tick.

A quick free kick from Sweet found Jefferson in space but his hard low shot was saved and the rebound was cleared.

Ilminster were now well on top and, from another Sweet set piece, Wells-Burr arrived late at the back post but his goalbound shot struck Jefferson and bounced off the post before Josh Phillips saw his effort cleared off the line.

Phillips then had a great run, beating three defenders, but he was forced too wide and ran out of space.

As the half drew to a close, Mendip once again began to wrestle back control and Pitman was denied by a combination of Jack Rutter and Wells-Burr.

Ilminster reorganised at half time with Noah Krusynski replacing Ben Pitman, suffering from a leg strain, but the second half began as the first had ended with Mendip looking for the third goal that would make the match safe.

Rutter made two good saves but could do nothing to keep out Milkins when he ran through to make it 3-0 after Ilminster gave the ball away on the halfway line.

In the closing stages, Ilminster lost their shape and Pitman made it 4-0.

Mendip Broadwalk are certainly a good side and deserved their win against an Ilminster side who looked completely out of sorts without their recognised defenders.

The loss of May was a big blow but, if the Blues had scored when they dominated around the hour hour mark, it could have been a different story.

Will Spurway once again had a good match and was star man, while Bolland did enough to show he is one for the future.

Ilminster Town: Jack Rutter, Luke Paul,Scott Wells-Burr, Charlie Rutter, Jon May, Ben Pitman, Will Spurway (c), Josh Phillips, Lee Sweet, Andy Whitefield, Taylor Jefferson; Subs used: Noah Krusynski, Tom Fletcher, Lewis Bolland

Division 3

Yatton & Cleeve Utd Res 1, Combe St Nicholas 4

COMBE St Nicholas won at Yatton & Cleeve United Reserves on Saturday to put the previous weekend's defeat behind them and move up to third in the table.

The Saints flew out of the blocks and were ahead inside a minute thanks to a fantastic individual goal from Jack Steer.

Yatton were stunned while Combe never let up, and after 10 minutes a Sam Sheldrake free-kick was headed in by Sam Rowswell.

Combe's youngsters were now flying and after good play by Rowswell the ball fell to Kieran Manley, who lobbed the keeper but it drifted just wide in the windy conditions.

Yatton looked dangerous occasionally on the counter-attack but the visitors controlled the half well.

After half-time Combe again got off to a flyer, with a cracking cross by Rowswell touched on by Manley for the unmarked Steer to tap home from close range.

Yatton looked menacing from set-pieces, but from one of these Combe counter-attacked with lightning pace through Manley, Steer and Dan Anjos, ending with Manley scoring from the edge of the box.

The Saints continued to look for a fifth goal but it was not to be.

With the game coming to an end Combe had a defensive lapse to let Yatton get a goal back, but the visitors saw the game out well.

They are three points behind second-placed Winscombe Reserves, with a game in hand, and their next game - on February 15 - sees them host Clevedon United Reserves (2.30pm).