Chard 3rds showed character and resilience to snatch a late victory away to Sidmouth & Ottery 3rds.

The team, having squandered a three-goal lead last week, was urged by captain Gary Wheaton to remain focused until the final whistle.

The game, which saw dominance shift between the teams, ended with Chard clinching the win in the last four minutes through Alfie Pike's first goal for the club.

In the first 10 minutes, all the pressure came from the home side, with Chard struggling to get out of their half and being outplayed in midfield.

A remarkable turnaround occurred once they began to find rhythm to attack down the wings, with Flynn Bowie and Isaac Parris playing key roles.

Chard, having threatened to take the lead with more play concentrated in the home side's half, finally did so as the half-hour mark approached.

Archie Parris put the ball in the net at the second attempt, latching onto Wheaton's incisive through ball after the keeper saved his initial effort.

However, the lead was short-lived as Sidmouth attacked from the restart and their young forward dribbled through the centre of the Chard defence to equalise.

After the interval, Sidmouth was the more dominant team.

They went ahead from another chance created by the ball skills of the same young forward, marking the beginning of a spell of total control which Chard struggled to withstand.

The back four of Blaise Marchant, Elliot Webb, Paul Sainsbury, and Steve Mahoney faced a barrage of corners.

Keeper Luke Bradshaw made some vital stops, including a point-blank reaction save off his chest, to keep Chard in the game.

Sidmouth, seemingly frustrated by their failure to capitalise on their complete dominance, allowed Chard to gradually get back into the game via some promising counter-attacks down the wings.

When Chard won a rare penalty corner themselves, Alan Cheffey's shot was saved, but Isaac Parris was on hand to bundle the ball over the line in the ensuing goalmouth scramble.

This game marked the welcome return to the third team of Reuben Willis, who quickly settled into the forward line.

From what looked like an impossibly tight angle, he weaved his way through the Sidmouth defence and slid the ball across the face of the goal, the final touch just going begging.

Chard also went close with another effort denied by the agility of the keeper.

With the game in its dying minutes, the thirds completed their remarkable comeback with a fine interchange of passes between Isaac Parris and Wheaton to set up Pike for a chance coolly taken.