Chard Town 5-3 Westbury Utd – Toolstation League Div One – Tue 18th March

BACK in August Westbury came from behind to defeat Chard 4-2 at Meadow Lane, however the tables were turned in this thrilling 8 goal encounter as United saw an early 2 goal lead completely blown away!

With Mark Young and Joe Moloney lively in attack, the visitors opened the scoring on four minutes when Young’s corner kick found Matt Jones who powered a header into the net. Young himself doubled the lead on 14 when he took advantage of sloppy Chard defending to race through and finish excellently when one on one with Jason Hutchings.

Town had a chance to reduce their arrears but Rich Hebditch’s attempt was pushed wide by Alex Shaftoe and the most vital part of the match occurred on 23; good play by Moloney led to him crossing to Young whose shot was parried by Jason Hutchings and then scrambled clear inside the 6 yard box with Nick Taylor looking to score his 3rd goal.

Having survived what may have been a game ending incident, the hosts got on top and Darren Hutchings hit a long range shot that eluded Shaftoe and rebounded off the crossbar to Sam Clark who put his rebound wide.

Nathan Warren came to the fore for Chard and after flashing a fine strike inches wide he paved the way to them making it 1-2 on 32 by beating his marker and hitting a curling left footed shot that clipped the head of Craig Fisher and looped into the net.

Moloney had a chance to put Westbury back into a 2 goal lead but his 20 yarder was deflected wide with Jason Hutchings out of position, but the keeper made amends soon after by saving Simon Millards’ accurate 35 yard free kick.

The action continued right up until half time and, after Sam Spurway had sent an 18 yarder over the bar, Ally Bradley needlessly fouled Hebditch inside the penalty area and a spot kick was awarded; Clark stepped up and rifled the kick past Shaftoe to make it 2-2 at the break!

The 2nd half continued where the opening period had left off with plenty of attacking play by both teams. Hebditch cut in from the left wing and fired wide before United broke quickly through Shaftoe’s long kick being flicked on by Young to Moloney who brought a fine save out of Jason Hutchings.

The home side then counter attacked with Spurway shooting wide which led to another rapid break by Westbury as Moloney’s run and cross set up Bradley whose fierce finish flew narrowly over!

Moloney got a fully deserved first goal in Western League football to put his side back into the lead on 61; having been fouled just outside the box he dusted himself off to net from the resulting free kick.

Chard were not finished off by going behind again but instead seemed spurred into action and proceeded to score twice in three minutes to take the lead! Their equaliser to make it 3-3 came on 66 when the visiting defenders failed to deal with a corner allowing Mark Scott a chance to hook the ball into the net. Then on 69 the pressure began to tell and, having conceded a 25 yard free kick, Westbury had to look on in admiration as Clark scored his 2nd of the evening with an unstoppable strike!

United went all out for an equalising goal and had several chances to make it 4-4! Firstly through Young who received a clever pass from Fisher before bringing a good save out of Jason Hutchings and then as in the 1st half the keeper did well to save a Millard free kick!

Westbury also wasted a number of corners which the home defence were able to clear ; one of which led to a counter attack with Clark being denied his hattrick by Shaftoe.

The clinching goal was scored on 87 when with Westbury having pushed men forward Clark set up Ed Butcher who took a touch before finishing with his left foot low to Shaftoe’s left.

*STAR MAN Joe Moloney. TEAM – Alex Shaftoe, Simon Millard, Craig Fisher, Ally Bradley, Matt Friendship, Matt Jones, Mark Young, Marc Scammell, Joe Moloney, Joe Murray, Nick Taylor. SUBS – Charlie Walton, Nathan Hallett-Young, Matt Dyer (used) Matty Bown (unused).