Larks back on song in a last-gasp thriller
Larkhall Athletic returned to winning ways on Saturday to end a run of four games without success in all competitions.
The Larks travelled to Slimbridge on Saturday and look to take control of the match with two goals in as many minutes. Michael Baker opened the scoring on 25 minutes and that was quickly followed by Aysa Corrick to put Larkhall in command.
The points were looking assured until 13 minutes from time when Raiyan Ahmed pulled one back for Slimbridge. Six minutes later and it was all square as Johan Flo equalised and all of a sudden it was looking like Larkhall’s winless run was set to continue. However, Lewis Powell netted in the first minute of injury time to seal victory and move Larkhall back up to tenth.
That win came after a disappointing 3-0 loss at home to Sholing last Wednesday. Bradley Targett broke the deadlock on 22 minutes before doubling his tally on the hour. Daniel Mason added the third five minutes from time.
■ FA VASE Two goals from Will Hailston proved to be crucial for Keynsham Town who made it five out of five for Toolstation League sides against irregular opponents in the second round of the Vase.
Having trailed early away at Liskeard, the K’s ended the first half on top with a Hailston penalty followed soon after by a Stefan Lee goal for 2-1. Hailston then struck again 18 minutes from time, helping book Keynsham’s first passage through to the third round in 18 years.
Keynsham will now travel to Wessex League Division One side New Milton Town in the third round on December 11.
■ WESTERN LEAGUE Secondplaced Bitton closed the gap at the top thanks to a hard-fought 3-2 win away at Ashton & Backwell United. Having beaten the same opposition 4-2 earlier this season, Bitton took control of the game at the Lancer Scott Stadium following goals either side of the interval from Matt Groves and Dean Griffiths.
The hosts then pulled a goal back 20 minutes from time, but Bitton had the desired response, with Joe Mclennan smashing home from the edge of the box to restore their two-goal advantage.
Ashton & Backwell clawed their way back into the contest once more, claiming a second goal late on, but that was as good as it got for them and they remain rooted in 18th spot.
Odd Down beat Division One bottom-side Devizes with a hattrick from Luke Bryan. Having struck twice in the first half to hand the visitors a two-goal lead, Bryan then completed his treble midway through the second half, before substitute Shaquille Perkins helped the visitors pull away when he added a late fourth.
■ HELLENIC LEAGUE Bradford Town were able to edge a five-goal thriller at Hallen to move up to eighth, with games in hand on most of the teams above them.
Hallen actually took the lead before George Box was able to equalise from Jake Brown’s cross for his 20th of the season and the Bobcats moved 2-1 in front when Brown was played through to score. Hallen levelled before the break but Bradford were back in front straight from the restart as Brown netted his second.
Bradford could have gone further ahead when they were awarded a penalty and Hallen’s keeper was sent off. An outfield player donned the gloves for Hallen and remarkably saved the spot kick from Charlie Wiles-richards. It mattered not though as Bradford secured the 3-2 victory.
On Tuesday, Bradford moved up to sixth after a 4-0 victory at Chipping Sodbury Town despite ending the game with nine men and Sodbury with ten.
Robert Hobbs opened the scoring on eight minutes before Charlie Walton doubled the advantage six minutes later. George Box added a third ten minutes before half-time.
The game soured with four minutes left of the period when Sodbury went down to ten men after an altercation which left Bradford’s Walton also receiving red.
Jacob Brown completed the scoring on 70 minutes, with the Bobcats ending the match with nine men after Harvey Baker’s dismissal with five minutes to go.
In a slightly more sedate affair, Corsham Town beat Lydney Town 2-0 with both goals coming in the final 20 minutes from Gary Higdon and substitute Matthew Morris.
■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Corsham Town Development enjoyed a spectacular day at the races on a weekend full of goals in the division, hammering Purton 11-0. Will Stead got the ball rolling with the opener inside the first minute before Adam Mitchell and Benjamin Wickens saw Corsham three to the good before ten minutes had been played.
The next goal didn’t come until the 25th minute as Wickens scored his second and that was followed ten minutes later by Max Wyatt who added the sixth a minute into the second period. Wickens had his hat-trick on 51 minutes before being replaced by Lewis Mccarron who scored the eighth on 75 minutes. Three minutes later, Stead made it nine before grabbing his hat-trick ten minutes from time with a quick-fire double.
The scoring was rounded off by substitute Jamal Chevelleau to move Corsham into second.
Odd Down Reserves managed to get the better of Stratton Juniors as they shared five goals. A double from Harley Prior, including the winner five minutes from time, and one from James Book saw Odd Down move up to 11th in the table.
■ SOMERSET COUNTY LEAGUE The derby in the Premier Division went the way of Fry Club as they beat Keynsham Town Reserves 2-0 and move points ahead of their rivals in ninth.
Timsbury Athletic were held to a goalless draw at Nailsea & Tickenham to fall two points behind Division One leaders Minehead. Jamie Smithies scored for Saltford, but they were beaten 3-1 at home to Somerton Town who close the gap to Timsbury to seven points with a game in hand.
Peasedown Miners Welfare have closed the gap to two points to Division Two leaders Ashton & Backwell United, albeit having played twice more, following a 7-1 thrashing of Banwell. Rico Sobers notched four of the goals, with Jordan Townsley, Scott Baker and Lewis Cross weighing in with the others.
Fry Club Reserves edged a seven-goal thriller at Clevedon United Reserves in Division Three, while Tunley Athletic played out a goalless draw at Somerton Town Reserves.
■ SOMERSET INTERMEDIATE CUP Timsbury Athletic Reserves enjoyed a safe passage through to the third round after they beat Westonsuper-mare & District League side Cheddar A 4-0. Trowbridge & District’s Aces lost 4-2 at home to Ilchester Reserves.
Saltford Reserves are also out after they offered Broad Plain House Reserve a home walkover.
■ MID SOMERSET LEAGUE Peasedown Albion lost 2-1 at home to Evercreech Rovers in Division One. Weston remained level on points with leaders Wells City A, albeit having played a game more, after a 2-0 win at Victoria Sports.
■ WOMEN’S FOOTBALL Vicky Vipond scored a hat-trick as Keynsham Town Reserves thrashed Frome Town 8-0 in the Eastern Division of the South West Women’s Regional League. Mia Sparks, Hannah Sims, Darcey Banfield and substitutes Sophie Allen and Olivia Bees grabbed the other goals as Keynsham made it two wins in seven days against the same opponents.
Bath City enjoyed a 3-2 victory over Swindon Supermarine in the Wiltshire County League.