By George! Lloyd nabs a hat-trick
Last weekend’s action in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division got underway on Friday evening, with Odd Down’s trip to Brislington. This match was the first leg of the league’s annual Groundhop initiative aimed at boosting attendances and, in front of a healthy crowd of 262 spectators at Ironmould Lane, it was the away side who claimed all three points, thanks to a hattrick from George Lloyd. After firing Odd Down ahead, Lloyd saw goals from Clarke Taylor and Conner Biggins turn the game on its head, but the frontman struck twice in the final 12 minutes to complete a brilliant treble for the Bath side. On Saturday, Bitton’s 100 per cent start to their Premier Division campaign ended with a 3-1 defeat at fellow high-fliers Willand Rovers, whose goals came from Luke Mortimore, Craig Duff and Brad Ausden. Managerless Bradford Town suffered their fifth consecutive defeat in all competitions, losing 2-1 at Chipping Sodbury. The hosts went 2-0 up before Martin Lenihan pulled one back on 70 minutes. The club revealed on October 2 that manager Rob Malett had left the club ‘by mutual consent’ and they are yet to announce a replacein ment. Meanwhile, third-placed side Corsham won 3-0 at bottom-ofthe-table side Portishead Town, with the visitors’ goals coming from Jon Bazeley, Lewis Mccarron and Ben Serman. This year’s Groundhop weekend ended with a derby at Bristol Telephones on Sunday afternoon, where Keynsham Town won 2-1 in front of 310 spectators. Cameron Shorney fired Keynsham in front from a free-kick, and he struck again to make it 2-0 at half-time, before Telephones pulled one back midway through the second half. ■ SOUTHERN LEAGUE Larkhall Athletic, who sit in 14th place, earned three valuable points with 2-0 win at pointless Barnstaple, who are rooted to the foot of the table. Lewis Powell opened the scoring on 72 minutes and Harry Hope added the second six minutes later. Meanwhile, Larkhall Athletic Ladies exited the FA Cup down on the South Coast on Sunday when they suffered a 4-1 defeat against a very well organised Southampton FC. The first half produced end-toend football from two evenly matched sides. First to shine was Lizzie Barrett for the Larks when her shot was blocked on the line by the keeper after 15 minutes before Southampton broke the deadlock minutes later when a quick break resulted in the ball being fired under the falling keeper from close range. Larkhall were back on level terms on 25 minutes when Kate German turned on the 18-yard line to unleash a wonderful strike into the top far corner of the net. Nicola O’connell in the Larkhall goal pulled off a couple of good saves towards the end of the first half to ensure the scores remained level at half time. However, after further O’connell saves early in the second half the game changed for the Larks when Molly Moore was stretchered off after she landed heavily on her knee. Molly, in obvious distress, was subsequently transferred to hospital by ambulance where x-rays showed no break, but ligament damage that will put her out of the game for a number of weeks. Almost as the game restarted Southampton retook the lead from a quick break down the left. Only minutes later a break down the right resulted in the hosts increasing their lead before the final goal came with 15 minutes left when O’connell rushed out for a ball she didn’t make allowing the Southampton attacker to neatly chip the ball over her for a team mate to run on to and slot into the empty net. This weekend the Larkhall Ladies host AFC Wimbledon at home in the FA Women’s National League Cup, kick-off 2pm. ■ SOMERSET COUNTY LEAGUE The Premier Division’s top side Fry Club went four points clear at the top with a 6-3 home win against lowly Clutton. Fry’s Callum Baker got a hat-trick and the other goals came from Ryan Madge and a brace from Edward Searle. In Division One, Keynsham Town Reserves, currently sitting in third place, won 1-0 at mid-table Mendip Broadwalk, courtesy of a Samuel Simpson goal. In Division two, Radstock Town Reserves earned a creditable 1-1 draw with high-flying visitors Ashton & Backwell United Reserves. Liam Watson was on target for the hosts. Division three, 10th placed Tunley Athletic got the better of hosts Burnham United Reserves, who sit just one place above them, after Tom Young got the decisive and only goal of the game. In the Somerset Senior Cup second round, Odd Down Reserves lost 2-1 in extra time at Nailsea and Tickenham after the tie ended 1-1 at 90 minutes. Substitute Jake Thompson got Odd Down’s goal. Elsewhere, Saltford beat hosts Wells City Reserves 4-1 while Timsbury Athletic were deadlocked 2-2 after extra time at Yatton & Cleeve United before Timsbury progressed by winning the penalty shoot-out 5-4. Peasedown Miners Welfare lost 1-0 at Broad Plain House and Fry Club Reserves went down 2-1 at Frome Town Sports Corsham Town played out a golless draw in the Wiltshire League last weekend.