Bitton overcome red to seal Cup progress
nine-man Bitton overcame the odds to make their way into the FA Cup first qualifying round courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Wessex league Portland united. Dan Langdon’s Ton lost goalkeeper Dan Worton to a scuffle with a Portland player, meaning Luke Bryan had to take over glove duties. But Ben Bament’s second-half double – the second assisted by Joe Mcclennan – nevertheless put them in the driver’s seat before three late red cards, one for Bitton’s Kane Ingram, were shown after another scuffle. Bitton’s progression has been rewarded with a home tie against fellow Western League Premier opposition in Westbury United on Saturday, September 8. Only a late goal from Liam Monelle saw Bradford Town knocked out at the hands of Southern League Division 1 South side Paulton Rovers. And Larkhall Athletic were also eliminated, falling to a 1-0 upset defeat to Western League top flight newcomers Plymouth Parkway. ■ Southern league Only a last-minute equaliser from Jon Davies denied Larkhall all three points from their bank holiday Monday visit to Melksham Town. In an all-round improved performance, Athletic saw an early goal disallowed, but had keeper Shaun Semmens to thank for keeping out a penalty. After the break they had the lead, with George King netting on 66 minutes. The heart-breaking twist was yet to come, however, as Davies eventually drew the hosts level with a 92nd-minute strike, though the result nevertheless brought the Wiltshire outfit’s perfect start to an end. ■ WESTERN league Corsham Town moved top of the First Division with a stunning 5-0 away win at Bishops Lydeard. They led 1-0 at the break through Ben Pring before storming the second period. Lewis Mccarron bagged their second, with Zac Costello, Josh Bright and Pring’s second completing the rout. Last week, Bradford left Cadbury Heath with a 4-1 Wednesday night victory. Jack Witcombe and Mark Lenihan netted to put the Bobcats 2-1 up at the interval, with Jake Hiscocks’ brace finishing the scoring. ■ SOMERSET league Only Fry Club can boast of a perfect record after three games as they defeated Clevedon United 3-2. Kris Allen was at the double for Frys, joined on the scoresheet by Ed Searle. Odd Down Reserves lost 5-0 to Nailsea & Tickenham. Jem Lutwama scored for Timsbury Athletic, but they would lose out 2-1 at Keynsham Town Reserves in Division 1, while Saltford drew 3-3 at Yatton & Cleve United. Division 2 saw Peasedown Miners Welfare get the better of Clevedon United Reserves 3-1, but Frys Reserves lost 2-1 at Broad Plain House. Tunley Athletic lost 5-0 at Winscombe Reserves in Division 2. Corsham Town Reserves downed Pewsey Vale Development 2-0 on Saturday, before winning 6-0 at Malmesbury Victoria Development in midweek. ■ WOMEN’S national Larkhall Athletic Ladies suffered a 6-3 defeat away to Poole Town. The game was played in relentless rain and gale-force winds that no doubt played a big factor in the final result. Poole played the first half with the wind behind them and opened up a four-goal lead by half-time, the visiting keeper having absolutely no chance of stopping any of them. As the teams turned around at the break the Larks, with the wind now behind them, pulled two goals quickly back, a header from Sarah Gregory as she met a corner, and a scrambled close-range effort from Kate-may O’hara Nash. With a Larkhall revival looking likely it was Poole who managed to break through and score again, before finishing the game with a sixth. A further consolation came for the Larks in the closing minutes when a Poole defender headed into her own net from a corner. This weekend the ladies host Keynsham Town at The Securitas Stadium in the League Cup this Sunday (2pm).