Attacking Larks go through in Trophy
An emphatic display of attacking football saw Larkhall Athletic through to the first round proper of the FA Trophy.
Hosting Cornish side Mousehole, the Larks set the tempo early on, bombarding the visitors’ goal almost from kick-off. Dawid Regula and man of the match Harvey Pritchard formed a strong frontline and created chances, while Mousehole were struggling to get the ball out of their half.
It looked only a matter of time before Larkhall would find the breakthrough. However Eben Mortimer-taylor’s strike from close range was stopped well by Ollie Chenoweth.
The goal was coming though and Larkhall won another corner which was taken by Max Williams and midfielder Matt Brown was on hand to head home decisively on 20 minutes.
Regula nearly doubled the lead with a thumping effort which Chenoweth tipped over. The first half ended with Mousehole almost getting an equaliser, however goalkeeper Arthur Nasta pulled off a superb double-save to keep Larkhall in front.
Victory was sealed when a tireless Pritchard picked up a pinpoint pass from Regula and slotted past Chernoweth. Shortly afterwards, the dynamic was reversed as Pritchard squared for Regula but his tame shot was easily saved.
The best chance for Mousehole came in the 70th minute when John Bissett broke from midfield and scored, only to be flagged offside. Mousehole continued to press and won a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Nasta was alert to clear the danger. Bissett had another go in the dying moments but again Nasta was equal to the challenge as Larkhall eased through.
Following Monday’s draw, Larkhall will now host Isthmian Premier League side Horsham in the first round on October 28. The winners receive £3,000, while the losers earn £775.
Tracey Hill
■ SOMERSET PREMIER CUP Larkhall needed a very late goal to progress against Western League side Nailsea & Tickenham last Wednesday. After the Larks clipped the crossbar from a free-kick with three minutes remaining, Lewis Graham was on hand to find Max Williams who scored the winner to see Larkhall through.
■ Odd Down managed to score three times in their tie, however that proved insufficient as they fell to a 5-3 defeat at Wellington. Down were 2-1 behind at the break and were unable to recover despite a great free-kick from Tyrone Mulholland as they exited the competition. Ben Millett and Alfie Andrews scored the other Down goals.
■ WESTERN LEAGUE For the past three seasons, the Toolstation Western Football League has been championing the importance of mental health by promoting the work of local Mind charities across the South West of England.
Partnering with Mind in Somerset, Bath Mind and Devon Mind, the league have developed special changing room posters that promote mental health support services, advertising this important information directly to Western League players. Clubs supporting this initiative had also organised bucket collections, raising hundreds of pounds to support the important work of their local Mind partners.
The mental health partnership kicked off at Radstock Town, when the Western League launched their partnership with Bath Mind in February 2022 and most recently, Western League officials, joined by the head of marketing at Toolstation, attended the First Division game between Portishead Town and Wells City, where over £100 was raised from spectators on the night.
Attending that game was John Pool, chairman of the Toolstation Western League, who reflected on what this campaign means to the league.
He said: “World Mental Health Day is the perfect time to reflect on the work we’ve done as a league to highlight how important mental health and mental wellbeing are to everyone in our football family. From our players to the volunteers and fans, this is not a conversation that we should be embarrassed about having and I’m so proud that we continue to push this subject.”
Last season, Devon Mind provided online training to Western League Club officials in their area, highlighting the signs when someone needs support with a mental health issue and what can be done about it. The league are looking to repeat this session and extend this provision into Somerset, with the help of Mind in Somerset.
The Toolstation Western League have also announced a partnership with Nigel Manges, the pastoral support lead in the South West for Sports Chaplaincy UK, providing clubs with pastoral and spiritual care.
■ ON the pitch, Odd Down suffered late heartbreak as Shirehampton managed a 94th-minute winner in a dramatic 15 minutes at the Lew Hill Memorial Ground in Division One. Down had started slowly, with Shirehampton taking a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes as the hosts were forced into two first-half substitutions through injury.
After the break, there was little between the sides, however further injuries to Dom Walter and Curtis Dunn left the depleted Down with ten players. This galvanised them though and Alfie Andrews slotted home to pull a goal back, however Shirehampton soon responded and looked to have made the game safe by going 3-1 ahead.
Down dug deep and managed to get within a goal once more through a well-taken Milo Murgatroyd strike, before Abdu Mbaye levelled late on to cue wild scenes.
The drama wasn’t finished though and, on 92 minutes, Ben Millett was fouled in the area and Down were awarded a penalty to win the game. Murgatroyd’s kick was well-saved though and Down
were caught out two minutes later when Bamford grabbed the winner for Shirehampton to leave Down without a point for their remarkable efforts. Lewis Bahadur was named man of the match.
■ A single goal in the first half saw Bradford Town beaten at Wells City. The Bobcats had made a good start to the game as Jacob Mead got forward and put in a low ball which was put behind for a corner, which Aaron Lane-leney dragged just wide.
Wells went ahead with a delicate chip over goalkeeper Sam Thomson to see Bradford behind at the break. The Bobcats desperately tried to get back into the game, with spells of pressure in the Wells half which also saw substitute Sammy Jordan hit the bar with a header from a corner. However, the hosts held on to leave Bradford beaten for the fourth time this season.
■ They are now two points behind third-place Bitton, having played two more games, following Bitton’s narrow 2-1 win at Hengrove Athletic. Bitton also made a good start as George Lloyd squared to Ethan Ballantine whose cross was headed at the goalkeeper by Jack Jones.
Bitton were keeping the ball well and a free-kick floated in by debutant and man of the match Jaiden Savery following a foul on Oliver Sully was just headed wide by Keane Ashwood. Ballantine’s next shot was dropped by the goalkeeper, however Jones failed to hit the target. Bitton thought they had taken the lead on 16 minutes when Ballantine’s ball in saw Charlie Roach force a great save, Lloyd tapped home the rebound but was ruled offside.
With the game still goalless at half-time, Bitton continued to pressure with captain Ashley Clarke finding Lloyd, who squared to Sully but he shot just wide. Half-time substitute Joe Beardwell wasn’t to be denied, however, as he did make it 1-0 just three minutes after coming on with a great finish.
Bitton continued to create chances and Beardwell turned provider as Sully made it 2-0 on 72 minutes on his debut. A mistake at the back allowed Hengrove to pull a goal back, but it proved too little too late as Bitton secured the win.
■ HELLENIC LEAGUE Corsham Town played out a goalless draw at Worcester Raiders as they relinquished top spot on goal difference to Worcester City, who have also played two games less.
The Quarrymen had a couple of good early chances as Shacquille Smith broke down the left and fired wide, before James Rusby headed over from debutant Matt Jones’ corner. Raiders looked dangerous on the counter and a nice move and reverse pass forced Alfie Kelsey into a smart save.
Captain Mark Cooper hit a sweet volley narrowly over for Corsham, while Raiders responded with a header off-target from a dangerous free-kick. Owen Humphries’ good effort from distance whistled past the post, before Smith’s low cross to Humphries saw the shot well-saved by the goalkeeper.
A thunderbolt from Jones came back off the crossbar just before half-time, before the Raiders goalkeeper again came up trumps with a save around the post from the deflected follow-up. Daniel Price then headed wide from a superb Humphries cross as the half came to an end.
Both sides had early chances after the restart, with Jones just going wide after chipping goalkeeper and Raiders heading over from another set-piece. The game though sadly petered out somewhat as the sides shared the spoils.
Harley Prior also made his debut for Corsham late on.
■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Odd Down Development recorded their first victory of the season to progress through in the Fountain Trophies Cup.
Leading Division One side Kingsdown Development 2-0 at the break, despite Kingsdown scoring two of their own in the second half through Josh Atwell and Harrison Jordan, Odd Down doubled their first half tally to eventually win 4-2, the fourth goal coming deep in injury time.
Shaquile Perkins bagged a brace and there were further Odd Down goals from Finlay Little and Jared Smith-core, the latter with that late goal that made certain that Odd
Down would progress through to round three where they will host Wroughton.
■ SOMERSET SENIOR CUP Larkhall Athletic Development needed a 90th-minute winner from James Book to see them through to the third round at the expense of Peasedown Albion. Charlie Myrie had scored for Peasedown but the game looked to be heading for penalties at 1-1 before Book’s winner.
Fry Club are also through following their 4-2 success at home to Yatton & Cleeve United. After Callum Fry made a good save early on, Frys took the lead through Harry Hale, however Yatton were back level from the penalty spot.
Owen Windsor dragged an effort wide, while Fry had to be alert to stop the danger again at the other end as it remained 1-1 at the break. Windsor was on hand to restore Fry’s lead with a header in the second half, and Oli Colcutt made it 3-1 after picking up a poor backpass and slotting home from close range. Yatton threatened a comeback as they made it 3-2, however the victory was sealed when Colcutt took advantage of another mistake to bag his brace.
Keynsham Town Reserves are out of the competition after suffering a 2-1 loss at home to Congresbury. Aaron Childs scored the Keynsham goal, but it proved to no avail.
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE A single goal from Lewis Wheeler proved enough for Peasedown Miners Welfare to secure the points at home to Nailsea & Tickenham Reserves. It continues Peasedown’s unbeaten start to the campaign following their first five games.
Two points behind in fifth lie Saltford, who have played a game more, after they enjoyed a 4-0 success at home to Castle Cary. Benedict Bishop and Harry Green both scored for Saltford before substitute Andrew Jones weighed in with a brace.
■ WOMEN’S LEAGUES Keynsham Town suffered a difficult day at the office as they were beaten 8-0 at Moneyfields in Division One South West of the FA Women’s National League. Emily Plummer scored for the Reserves, but they suffered a 5-1 loss at home to Exeter City Reserves in the Reserve South West Division.
In the South West Regional League, Bitton suffered a 4-1 defeat at Gloucester City in the Northern Division. Georgia James netted Bitton’s consolation with 16 minutes remaining
■ CHIP & BATH LEAGUE Charlie Myrie proved the difference for Whiteway as they edged a one-goal game against Bath Rovers. With the honours shared last season between these rivals, this campaign’s first meeting was always going to be a nail-biter and so it proved.
Myrie’s goal came five minutes before half-time from a Gary Jones assist as Whiteway came away with the points after an exciting 90 minutes.
Elsewhere, Lansdown suffered a 6-1 defeat at Spires Athletic. Lansdown lost two players in the opening ten minutes to injury and found themselves 3-0 down at half-time. Lansdown pulled a goal back early in the second half through Noah Mcintyre, however any comeback hopes were quashed as Spires ran out 6-1 winners.
In the Premier Division, Corsham Pavao were beaten 4-2 at Lavis. Adam Mitchell had given Pavao the lead before they fell 4-1 behind, with Ben Selman pulling another goal back late on for the Corsham side.
University of Bath have dropped to the bottom after losing 7-1 at PF Loco. Loco led via a Joe Lacey effort before they put their foot on the accelerator and gained a 6-0 halftime lead. Jon Ehigiator scored the next two goals before Matt Howes added number four and Jordan Jenkins and Angus Williamson took the tally to six.
The university will feel that they drew the second half as a second goal for Angus Williamson made up Loco’s seven after Daniel Hunt had scored for the Uni boys. Kingsmead received a home walkover from Hourglass.
Division Two leaders Corsham Rovers came from behind to beat Semington. Olly Gee gave Semington a first-half lead before James Ellis threaded a through-ball for Elliot Haffenden to round the keeper and level things. Corsham found themselves behind ahead, however Ellis assisted again for Jake Dodge to score his first Corsham goal before he then turned provider in the dying minutes to see the returning Haffenden score the winner.
Combe Down thrashed Farrington Albion 8-0. Kean Hayward, Morgan Henry and Drew Lovelock gave Combe a 3-0 lead at the break, before Dontae Swaby-depass made it four. Henry went on to complete his hat-trick, with Swabydepass claiming his brace before Fenton Davey struck his first goal for the club to complete the scoring.
Olympic Victoria edged a fivegoal thriller against Kingfisher in a match moved from Odd Down Sports Field to Lansdown.
Ciaran Llewelyn managed to equalise for Victoria before halftime, before Rob Grey and Chris Rogers made it 3-1. Kingfisher managed to reduce the arrears, however Victoria held on to claim the points.
Marshfield were beaten for the first time by The Pewsham after two stalemates last season. Jeremy Bond had equalised for Marshfield, but they fell to a 4-1 defeat.
In Division Three, Bath Road Wanderers were beaten 3-1 by leaders AFC Ivy. Owen Pearce managed a late consolation for Bath Road. Lansdown Reserves had a day to forget as they lost 10-0 at home to Forest Albion.
The Team Nathan derby saw them beat Weston Village - Team Nathan 4-2. It was a second win for Mark Blackmore-payne’s side, although Sam Hinton had got the Villagers level before half-time after Jimmy Bradley’s opener. The visitors then took a 2-1 lead courtesy of Zilwood Stead, but they were quickly pegged back by Liam Davis.
With the game ebbing and flowing, Louis Brand scored his first goal for Team Nathan to make it 3-2, with Bradley securing the points with his second.