Most of the drama in Timsbury Athletic’s home match with Chard Town in the Uhlsport Somerset County League Premier Division came in the last few minutes of the game when the outcome of the contest changed three times. It was a dramatic end to what overall had been a scrappy untidy affair.
In the early minutes of the game Ellis Hancock scuffed his shot just wide of the post while at the other end Timsbury keeper Jack Williams made a crucial save from Joe Chamberlain. The home side took the lead after 14 minutes when Sean Derrick burst through and buried his shot past Chard keeper Jason Contreras. Rhys Cook came close to adding a second but his shot was deflected wide while for the visitors Kieran Bailey headed wide of the post and Will Board had a shot easily held by Williams. Chard then missed a great chance to equalise right on half-time when they were awarded a penalty. Jordan Clapp’s spot-kick was comfortably saved by Williams.
Williams was again in action early in the second half saving well at the near post from Board before Timsbury threatened at the other with Matt Flynn’s excellent cross from the left somehow evading the advancing Rico Sobers. Max Westlake missed a gilt-edged opportunity for Chard with the goal at his mercy and Chamberlain was twice wide of the post.
The equaliser had been threatening to come, however, and it duly arrived after 75 minutes when Clapp atoned for his penalty miss to slam the ball home from close quarters. With two minutes of playing time left Clapp looked to have settled the affair when he grabbed a brace but Timsbury immediately responded and were awarded a penalty when substitute Sam Gregory was brought down. Cook made no mistake from the spot and with the game running into stoppage time that looked to be it. Liam Cleal had other ideas, however, clinching the winner with a dashing run to inflict only Timsbury’s second home defeat of the season.
Malcolm Tucker