26.12.2007 Chard Town v Willand Rovers

Match: Chard Town v Willand Rovers

Result: 3-2 Away win

Date: Wednesday 26th December 2007

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier

Venue: Dening Sports Fields, Chard

Weather: Chilly

Conditions: Good

Crowd: 105

Ground Appearance: Good

Referee: Phillip Milton, Watchet

Willand made it two wins out of two over the festive period as they came away with the points from their visit to Chard Town on Boxing Day. A last gasp header by Sam Croft secured a 3-2 win as the 'Rovers came from behind and deservedly took the points against a young well organised Chard side. Paul Pocock was first to shoot at goal as Willand had the advantage of playing down the famous Chard slope in the opening period, two corners quickly followed as the 'Rovers began to settle into their stride. Chard also began to find some rhythm, James Clough firing a snap shot wide of goal in the 3rd minute. With both sides pushing for an opening it was Danny Baily who was the first to test LLoyd Irish in goal, but the young shotstopper saved well putting the Willand strikers effort away for a corner. A Russell Jee free kick in the 8th minute found David Steele who in turn sent Pocock racing through on goal, only to be stopped in his tracks by the linesman flag. The home side upped the anti in the middle period of the first half, the lively Alexis Piper and his partner Andrew Whitefield a constant threat as Chard pumped high balls forward looking to catch out the 'Rovers back line. A chance for both sides came and went in the space of a minute as first Whitefield just failed connect with a precision Piper pass across the Willand penalty area and then Baily had his rasping shot tipped over the cross bar by 'keeper Irish. It was young Piper who was to get his name on the scoresheet first on 20 minutes with a splendidly taken goal. After the 'Rovers defence had been opened up, Piper found the ball at his feet on the edge of the 18yd box and with Willand 'keeper Brian Cann miles off his line he slipped past him and fired the ball into an empty net from a tight angle. Cann had to be at his best moments later as Daniel Harvey fired in a vicious cross come cross that had to be dealt with before Willand levelled matters on the half hour mark. A Steele free kick from 25 yds out spilled from the hands of Lloyd Irish to the feet of James Ansell who tapped the ball home from close range. With the bit between their teeth it was Irish again coming to Chards rescue this time pulling off the save of the game to deny Baily a goal as he put the Willand strikers fierce drive out for a corner when a goal looked on the cards. The home side snatched a surprising lead going into the break as just 3 minutes before the interval Willand were again undone by the homes sides strike partnership. With Cann again loitering around on the edge of his area Whitefield pounced to flick the ball past the Willand 'keeper and into the path of a very grateful Piper who made no mistake from close range. If the first half was an even affair the second one was certainly not as Chard tried desperately to hold onto their lead, and surprisingly did not half a single effort on the Willand goal as the 'Rovers tried desperately to get something from the game. The games easiest chance of a goal came and went in the first minute of the second half as James Ansell fired in a shot towards goal, presenting Shaun Goff with the task of tapping over the line, but his hesitation, thinking that the ball would go in of its own accord allowed the home team to frantically clear the ball off the line to the disbelief of the travelling crowd. With the game drifting into a non event much due to the numerous free kicks awarded by the young referee, who throghout the game failed to please the home crowd no matter if he made the right decision or not, it was a substitution by Willand manager Clive Jones that changed the game. Just 3 minutes after coming on as a replacement for Shaun Goff, Lee Woodman found the back of the net with virtually his first touch, putting the ball in from close range after a Danny Baily strike had come back of the post. Ansell should have scored his second of the game with 15 minutes to go after Woodman became provider putting in a great cross across the penalty area, but again Irish was to prove too good. Chard found themselves with two good opportunities in the final ten minutes as they were presented with free kicks on the edge of the Willand penalty area, the first one thanks to a Sam Croft foul on Piper was headed clear before Brian Cann was penalised for a handling offence outside his area, again this only went as far as the 'Rovers defensive wall. It was Willand who were to have the last laugh though, as well into the last minute Sam Croft struck a killer blow through the hearts of the Chard faithful, putting a powerful header into the roof of the net following a pin point David Hambly corner.

Chard Town: L.Irish, Corrick(c), Chlopecki, Baily, O.Irish, Clough, Harvey, Rice, Piper, Whitefield, Lazenby
Subs: Edwards, Adcock-Case, Cleal
Goals: Piper 20, 42
Booked: Chlopecki 6, Rice 67, Piper 76

Willand: Cann, Jee(McAuley 84), Hambly, Croft, Hill, Steele, Goff(Woodman 70), Norrish(c), Ansell, Baily, Pocock
Sub: Patchett(not used)
Goals: Ansell 30, Woodman 73, Croft 90
Booked: Goff 42, Hill 78, Cann 83

Star Man: Owen Irish (Chard Town)