Whittaker goal not enough for Bitton
Larkhall Athletic missed the chance to face Bristol Manor Farm in the FA Trophy after losing 1-0 in a replay on Tuesday night at Thame United.
Saturday’s preliminary-round tie saw the two sides draw a blank at Plain Ham.
Larks return to Evo-stik League Southern Division 1 South duty on Saturday with a home game against fifth-placed AFC Totton.
■ FA VASE Bitton suffered a surprise first-round exit in the FA Vase as they were beaten 2-1 at Almondsbury.
The visitors went into the game as favourites following a storming start to their season in the Toolstation Premier Division, while Almondsbury sit mid-table in the Hellenic League Division 1 West after being moved from the Toolstation Division 1.
Strong winds made flowing football difficult, but two goals in five second-half minutes from Keelan Mastoruras and Henry Greenbury put Almondsbury in command before Jordan Whittaker reduced the arrears on 76 minutes.
Odd Down also exited the competition on Saturday as they were beaten 4-1 at home by Willand Rovers. Ash Mcgrane struck for the Downers but Angus Wilson (2), Luke Mortimore and Brad Ausden ensured it was the Devon side who progressed.
■ TOOLSTATION LEAGUE Bradford Town claimed a 3-1 victory at Wellington in the Premier Division thanks to goals from Will Hailstone, Daniel Price and substitute Jason Henley. Joseph Chamberlain replied for the hosts, who had Thomas Hawkings sent off.
Keynsham Town moved up to sixth in the Division 1 table with a 3-2 home win over Bishops Lydeard.
Ryan Brerton and Harry Millar put Lydeard on command, but Keynsham struck three times in the closing 20 minutes, through Dan Spill, Matthew Long and Michael Grist, to complete a dramatic victory.
Corsham Town, who are sitting in third spot, were held to a 0-0 draw by lowly Radstock Town at Southbank.
■ SOMERSET COUNTY LEAGUE Top-flight leaders Fry Club were knocked out of the Premier/division 1 Cup as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Saltford.
Odd Down Reserves also bowed out as they were beaten 3-2 on penalties at Ilminster Town. The tie ended 3-3 after extra time, with Daniel Taylor and Harry O’hare on target for Odd Down.
Clutton were another side to lose on penalties, going down 5-4 in the shootout to visiting Staplegrove. Richard King and Alex Price scored for the hosts as the match finished 2-2.
Last season’s runners-up, Timsbury Athletic, eased past Wells City Reserves, winning 5-1 at home thanks to a brace from Jem Lutwama and strikes from Rhys Cook, Chris Midgley and Toby Neilson.
Peasedown Miners Welfare marched on in the cup for Division 2 and 3 teams thanks to a 5-2 success at Weston St Johns.
Saturday’s only Division 2 match saw Fry Club Reserves lost 2-1 at home to Glastonbury.
■ FA Women’s National League Cup It took extra time to see AFC Wimbledon through to the next round after a closely-fought game with Larkhall Ladies ended 2-2 on 90 minutes, although it has to be said it was the home keeper that was the far busier of the two.
Wimbledon had a couple of good chances early on, one forcing Nicola O’connell into a save and the other rising above the crossbar, before Larkhall took the lead when Mel Sartain completed some good play with a super lob of the visiting keeper to find the back of the net.
Wimbledon however equalised prior to the half time break in the most controversial of circumstances. One of their players had gone down injured whilst they had possession, the referee asked for the ball to be put out of play from the middle of the field, the player duly attempted to do so but with players stopping the Wimbledon winger collected the ball, ran forward to cries of put it out, crossed it into the box for a forward to duly convert. Despite many protests by Larkhall the goal stood.
Wimbledon then took the lead minutes into the second half when a cross from the left was turned into the net.
The Larks were back on level terms at 75 minutes when Katy May O’hara-nash headed home a cross into the box from a free kick. The 89th minute then saw Larkhall reduced to 10 players as Georgia Smith received a straight red for bringing down a player by way of an arm around the neck.
With extra time being played the decisive goal came midway through the second period when Wimbledon unleashed a powerful strike from around 12 yards that flew in over O’connell.
This weekend the Larkhall Ladies return to league action when they host second placed Southampton Women’s at The Securitas Stadium, KO 2pm.