Penalty denies Larks more from Southern League bow
A late penalty denied larkhall Athletic victory over Bideford on the opening day of their southern league Division 1 south campaign. Phil Bater and Neil Arndale’s new look squad dominated the first half, and scored in under half an hour thanks to the striking instincts of our No10 Lewis Powell, who latched onto a Mason Winter cross to fire home past Steve Oliver at close range. Shortly before the opening goal Shaun Semmens made the first of a couple of superb saves to deny Ben Wood, but on the whole the Larks had the best of the half, retaining possession well thanks to a composed debut display from Ben Lewis in midfield, and a man-ofthe-match performance from centre-forward Greg Peel, who held the ball up with great persistence over 90 minutes. The Robins, meanwhile, seemed content to pump long balls upfield towards their forwards. That all changed in the second half when veteran striker Kevin Squire was introduced for the hosts, who appeared energised by the switch and gave Larks’ defence more to think about. Bideford’s renewed self-belief resulted in their equaliser when they were awarded a penalty for handball. Semmens nearly saved Squires’ spot kick with his legs but the ball trickled in to establish parity, and had to be on hand to pull off another decisive stop one-on-one with Bideford sub Billy Tucker. Tracey Hill Adnan Hiroli was the last-gasp hero as Odd Down grabbed their first win of the season against Wellington. Jake Elliott had Down ahead just before the half-hour, only for Jack Bryant to draw Wellington level from the penalty spot. They had to wait until the final minute for the winner, when Hiroli found the net. Odd Down followed up that result by overcoming Hengrove Athletic, again 2-1 on Tuesday night as Ash Mcgrane netted both goals. Top flight leaders Bitton maintained their perfect record with a Tuesday night triumph over Roman Glass St George, 2-0, thanks to strikes from Scott Brice and Mario Mateus. Bitton were 5-0 victors at the weekend over ten-man Hengrove Athletic. Ibrahima Diallo, Mateus and Kane Ingram had them 3-0 up at the interval, with Ben Bament and Josh Egan joining them on the scoresheet. Bradford Town earned a point from a 2-2 draw in Bridport. They had an early lead through Ashton Shanley on 23 minutes, on for the Dorset side to equalise instantly. Bridport then found a lead to take into the break through journeyman forward Mark Salter, but Martin Lenihan struck within three minutes of the second half to drag the Bobcats level. In the first division, Corsham Town continued their good early season form with a 2-0 victory over Wincanton. Josh Bright and Jack Morris both netted in the opening 45 to earn the win for Corsham. Keynsham Town, meanwhile, were involved in a feisty affair against Welton Rovers that saw three red cards. Chris Pile handed Rovers the a lead which they took into the break, after which Scott Saunders was shown a straight red card for Keynsham having taken out Aaron Seviour as last man. Regardless, they drew level moments before the hour through Lee Pitman’s deflected goal. Welton’s Lewis Hunt was then shown a second yellow card, before Joe Garland was dismissed in stoppage time for an off-the-ball incident. Despite a second minute goal for James Ollis, Keynsham lost 3-1 to Wells City in midweek. ■ somerset league Stunning Fry Club hammered Odd Down Reserves 7-2. Down, who scored through Jack Jones and Cameron New, finished with ten men as James Payton was dismissed. For Frys, Ed Searle hit a brace, with Owen Skinner, Nick Walters, Ryan Madge, James Phillips and Callum Baker. In Division 1, Saltford were involved in an eight-goal thriller at Uphill Castle, winning 5-3 as Aaron Messenger and Dave Pollinger hit braces, and Tom Bennett struck late on. And Timsbury Athletic had Jem Lutwama and Callum Taylor to thank in their 2-2 draw at Hengrove Athletic Reserves. Fry Club Reserves downed Peasedown Miners Welfare 2-1 in the Second Division for their second win in four days. Josh James got both for the Keynsham club while Jordan Rogers struck for Peasedown. For Frys it was a bounceback from last Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to Castle Cary, when James had already been on target. The Division 3 season began with a 4-0 defeat for Tunley Athletic at Middlezoy Rovers Reserves. ■ Corsham Town Reserves beat Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s Development side 2-1 on Saturday and then drew 2-2 with Football ID on Tuesday in the Wiltshire League. ■ Women’s national In the newly revamped FA Women’s National League, Keynsham Town Ladies opened up their South West Division campaign by hammering Buckland Athletic 9-0. They had only scored one at halftime through Kelly Bartlett, who would end the day with five, before turning on the style in the second half. There was also a hat-trick for Justine Lorton with former Bristol Academy star Corinne Yorston stepping off the bench to score. While Keynsham are top after round one, Larkhall Athletic Ladies are third following their own thumping of Chesham United, 4-0. Katy-may O’hara Nash was the hat-trick hero for Larks, with Mel Sartain also find the goal.