Price is so proud to lead Larks
OLLIE Price’s Larkhall Athletic could be very proud of their showing at Edgeley Park but two Connor Jennings goals before half-time took the game out of reach for the Step 4 side.
This was a classic David v Goliath tie when it was pulled out of the hat and the hundreds of miles and three divisions between the two teams did nothing to dampen the spirits of the Larks’ away following.
They were magnificent throughout the afternoon, urging their team forward to try and bloody the nose of their National League rivals.
Dave Challinor made 10 changes to the Hatters’ team that beat Altricham on Tuesday night with Mark Kitching the only survivor, but it was still a strong line-up. Larkhall were not intimidated.
After County’s Alex Reid had volleyed wide from closerange Athletic had a golden opportunity to take the lead minutes later in front of the Cheadle End.
Jack Goodall whipped in a wicked in-swinging cross and found Alex Lambert eight yards out. With the ball coming over his shoulder, he took it on the volley and directed it just wide.
That was a big moment for the Somerset side as only minutes later County responded. Sam Minihan crossed to the far post for Jennings to steer home.
It was an enthralling opening and on the half-hour Jennings popped up to meet a John Rooney corner and direct header just under the crossbar to bag a first-half brace.
After the break, the Larks tired and the same Minihan to Jennings combination saw the forward side-foot just wide in search of a hat-trick. Shaun Semmons then made an outstanding save from Ollie Crankshaw.
It was all the north-west side in the second-half and Larkhall were struggling to defend balls into the box. Their Achilles heel was exploited on the hour when another Rooney corner to the far-post was headed just over the line by home debutant Ryan Johnson, County’s recent signing from Port Vale.
Larkhall struggled to make any progress in the second half thanks to a defence marshalled by teenage academy captain Scott Holding.
His debut suggested he has a bright future ahead of him.
Price was delighted with his team and the travelling support.
“I can’t fault the lads, they were excellent and worked their socks off. I’m really proud of them, it was a cracking day,” he said.
“People don’t really know much about us, we only average 150 at home so to get a bit over that a long way away from home is great to see.”
Challinor also praised the Larkhall performance, adding: “We had good control on the game. I would have liked us to have been better but today is not about us, it is about them and credit to them.” STAR MAN: Scott Holding (Stockport) 3,514
★★★★★