Form proves elusive in a lacklustre match
Larkhall Athletic suffered a second defeat of the season in the Southern League Division One South, and for the second time it was by a single goal.
Having lost 1-0 at Willand three games previously, Larkhall were unable to take their form from their fantastic FA Trophy performance against Paulton Rovers as they travelled to Bideford on Saturday.
In a game far from a classic, the match was settled in an attritional second half six minutes from time by Lewis Wilson. The defeat leaves Larkhall ninth and now four points off the play-offs.
■ WESTERN LEAGUE Bitton needed a 60th minute penalty from Jake Ball to see off a depleted Street side that was missing four central defenders. After surviving an early red card appeal for the bringing down of Sandro Constanza when he was through on goal, Bitton’s keeper Burgess was forced off with an injury and, with no substitute available, they had to rely on a defender to go between the sticks.
Apart from one goal-line clearance, he was rarely troubled as the game got bogged down in midfield with yellow cards disrupting the flow.
After Ball’s penalty was dispatched, Street went temporarily down to ten men when Josh Phillips was sent to the sin bin but still Bitton failed to test Liam Norris. Bitton ended the game with ten men of their own after substitute Callum Ball was sent to the sin bin within minutes of him entering the fray - but Bitton held on for the points.
Keynsham Town produced a come-from-behind win, with Dan Cottle scoring in both halves of their 2-1 victory at home to Buckland.
The away side went ahead after 14 minutes in spectacular fashion, with Cieran Bridger firing home from all of 30 yards, prior to Cottle’s first of the game which came in the form of a beautiful curled finish.
The game was then decided early in the second half, with man of the match Cottle completing his brace to hand Buckland their first defeat since mid-september.
At Raleigh Grove, Odd Down saw a three-goal lead slip against Sherborne Town who staged a remarkable comeback, scoring three times in the final quarter hour to draw 3-3 in Division One.
The Zebras were far from their best for large periods of the game, and having trailed to Luke Bryan’s 27th minute opener, further goals from Ash Robinson, and then Bryan again saw them three down heading into the closing stretch.
From the moment Brett Cotterill pulled a goal back, Sherborne seemed to gain belief, with Henry Lawrence Napier then scoring their second as the game headed into stoppage time. The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, and with the final kick of the game, Anthony Herrin tucked home a spot kick to grab an unlikely point.
■ HELLENIC LEAGUE It was honours even for both Corsham Town and Bradford Town at the weekend. Corsham travelled to Hereford Lads Club and took the lead after just two minutes through Gary Higdon before Hereford managed to equalise to make it 1-1 at the break. Higdon moved Corsham back in front on 65 minutes with a header at the back post, but again parity was quickly restored as Hereford levelled once more to earn a point apiece.
As for Bradford, they hosted Westfields and found themselves a goal down at the break. Jonny Hill made a great save to keep it a 1-0 in the second half as the Bobcats began to create plenty of chances at the other end and George Box was on hand to find an equaliser. Aaron Withcell produced a great goal-saving tackle to prevent Westfields from retaking the lead as again the points were shared.
Corsham’s trip to Lydney Town on Tuesday was postponed, leaving them fifth on 33 points, with Bradford ninth on 26.
■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Corsham Town Development moved into second, albeit having played more games than their nearest rivals, after edging out Shrewton United in a fivegoal thriller.
Goals for Benjamin Wickens, Jay Cant and Adam Mitchell saw Corsham to a second consecutive 3-2 win and their fourth successive victory, leaving them unbeaten in seven games.
■ SOMERSET SENIOR CUP Timsbury Athletic have progressed through the third round with a comfortable 4-1 win at home to Devon & Exeter League side Wellington Reserves. Wellington had made a promising start, but it was Timsbury who took the lead on ten minutes when Reuben Hobbs flicked home a Rhys Cook corner.
At the other end, Wesley Poulsom shot over while Aaron Hawkings was wide with his effort. Ebnor Heatley brought Wellington keeper Robert Hall into action before Hobbs grabbed Timsbury’s second on 18 minutes. The hosts looked for more and a Tim Midgley cross just evaded Ellis Hancock.
Wellington got back into the game before half-time and a seemingly innocuous shot from Oliver Nott beat Ashton Tucker to make it 2-1, which it remained at the break despite Heatley coming close for Timsbury and Hawkings shooting over for Wellington.
Hobbs set up Cook shortly after the restart but his effort was blocked. Timsbury always looked in control and it was Hancock who restored the two goal lead with a crisp left-foot shot. Substitute Toby Neilson shot wide while Midgley had an effort saved by Hall.
The influential Hancock then set up Heatley who beat two men before firing home Timsbury’s fourth. Wellington kept going and, after Nott had shot wide following a quick free-kick, Luke Perry saw his effort comfortably held by Tucker. Cook had a chance to score a fifth but was denied by Hall as Timsbury eased through.
■ ELSEWHERE, Keynsham Town Reserves have been knocked out in the third round after losing out in a nine goal thriller at Clevedon United. The Somerset League Premier Division side were unable to hold on against their fourth-place rivals who progressed through.
In contrast, a single goal was enough for Wiltshire League side Odd Down Reserves to make it through at the expense of Somerset League Premier Division Fry Club.
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE Saltford suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Middlezoy Rovers Reserves in Division One.
Peasedown Miners Welfare enjoyed a day to remember as the second-placed side in Division Two thrashed bottom team Winscombe Reserves 10-0. Jordan Townsley opened the scoring on 18 minutes before Scott Baker doubled the lead eight minutes before the break. Peasedown went into half-time three ahead as Joe Gurner scored in the final minute and it was four three minutes into the second period as Townsley netted his second.
Gurner followed suit five minutes later, as did Scott Baker 60 seconds afterwards before Bertie Haines added another on 58 minutes in a devastating opening 13 minutes to the second half. Substitute Lewis Hale also got in on the act before Baker rounded off the scoring with his hat-trick in the final minute.
Tunley Athletic were beaten 1-0 at home to Division Three leaders Cam Valley.
■ MID SOMERSET LEAGUE Peasedown Albion have been knocked out of the Dimmock Green Cup after losing 3-0 at Wells City A in the quarter-finals. Premier Division second-placed side Weston ran out 7-3 winners at struggling Chilcompton Sports Reserves to cut the lead at top to three points.
Saltford Reserves suffered a 3-0 defeat at Division One leaders Mells & Vobster. Timsbury Athletic Reserves managed a 2-1 win at Peasedown Albion Reserves. Connor Liddiard scored for Peasedown but that was cancelled by strikes for Lucas Hawkins and Gary Pearcy.
■ WOMEN’S FOOTBALL Keynsham Town are out of the FA Women’s National League Plate after they suffered a 3-0 defeat at Exeter City.
Larkhall Athletic also exit the competition after being edged out 1-0 by hosts Holwell Sports after extra time.
Bath City enjoyed a 12-3 thrashing of FC Calne in the Wiltshire League.