Lowly Chard Town belied their lowly league position in the Uhlsport Somerset County League Premier Division to earn a late point away to Timsbury Athletic. The home side looked on course for another comfortable three points but two late goals turned the game on its head and few could argue with the final outcome.
Timsbury keeper Ashley Tucker was in early action saving from the lively Michael Calverley while at the other end Rhys Cook raced clear only to put his final shot wide of the post. Rico Sobers created another chance for the home side but from a narrow angle his final shot was also wide. The half saw few clearcut chances but Dom Barressi did test Jason Hutchins in the Chard goal and Tucker again had to be on his toes to deal with a dangerous effort from Calverley.
Timsbury began the second half strongly and within seven minutes had taken the lead. A superb strike from Sam Gregory from outside the box flew into the top corner of the net with Hutchings motionless. Cook then headed wide from a Sobers’ cross before increasing Timsbury’s lead after 63 minutes. Once again it was a goal for the scrapbook with the prolific striker’s left foot shot from distance nestling in the roof of the net before Hutchings could move. It was Cook’s 17th league goal of the season and arguably his best.
To their credit Chard responded positively and with 12 minutes to go pulled a goal back through the hard working Calverley. At the other end Cook just failed to reach another dangerous centre from Sobers but it was the visitors who kept up the pressure and with the game running into stoppage time substitute Alex Manley grabbed the equalizer.
Malcolm Tucker