After last week’s fine victory against Calne and a draw midweek at Portishead the Robins struggled to get the better of the Wiltshire visitors who are currently languishing near the foot of the table in a tense tussle at Zembard Lane on Saturday. Alex Cunnold deputised in goal and Jamie Manley also gave a start to Alex Harper on the left.

Both sides were dangerous early on with Ryan Parris and Harper going close and Chippenham testing Cunnold who did well to thwart Alex Warre and striker Tom McCulloch with some brave footwork and a timely punch clear. Then on 25 minutes Chippenham took the lead when from a corner Warre was allowed to head into the net unchallenged. However, it only took eight minutes for Chard to equalise when Andrew Holmes on the edge of the box saw his shot creep in off the post possibly with a slight deflection.

No side could take the advantage in the first half but Chippenham had the best of the game at the restart with Ashton Shanley shooting just wide before they took the lead again. On 51 minutes they scored a fine goal when Lewis Ellington was set free on the left and turned inside past the defence to unleash an excellent shot past Cunnold. It got worse just two minutes later with Joel Smedley finding time to slot the ball into the net increasing their lead. However, to the relief of the home supporters, on 56 minutes Chard reduced the arrears. Substitute Marky Jones, who had come on in the first half for the injured Harper, got up to head a long throw from Holmes past the Chippenham keeper. It was a fine goal for the Under 18s player and he went on to show a high degree of pace and awareness to justify his introduction.

The Robins got better and were very unlucky when the ball was cleared of the line more than once in a period of frenzied attacking by the hosts. Chippenham were still a threat, though, and Cunnold had to save with his feet again when McCulloch might easily have scored. However, on 72 minutes the hosts salvaged a point when the dependable Kieran Bailey got forward to head Max Westlake’s corner emphatically into the net. Immediately back at the other end Bailey executed a fine last ditch tackle to keep the scores level. Then in the dying minutes Ellington shot wide and Cunnold came out thwart McCulloch again.

No doubt there’s some disappointment at not being able to take three points from the game but on the plus side it’s now five games unbeaten for the Robins.

Chard Town FC

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Attendance

Competition

League position

Team Sponsors

Login