Keynsham handed Super League test
Keynsham Town Ladies will be lining up against top-flight opposition after battling through in the Women’s FA Cup. The Lady Ks will travel to FA Women’s Super League outfit Reading in the fourth-round proper, having overcome AFC Fylde 2-1 in Somerset at the weekend. They will be one of only three sides remaining from the fourth tier of women’s football for the game, likely played on Sunday, February 3 at Adams Park, the home of League 1 side Wycombe Wanderers, who host Reading’s ladies team. Keynsham took the lead over Fylde, who play one level above in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division, through Kerry Bartlett on 34 min- utes, but were pegged back by Sophie Charlton just before the interval. The hosts continued to create chances, whose hopes were boosted further when Jenna Carroll was sent off for Fylde with 15 minutes to go. Keka Vega would then put Keynsham back in front, and they held on to seal their place in the fourth round – plus adding another £1,000 to their prize kitty – despite Kirsten Rendell’s late sending off for a second booking.
■ WOMEN’S NATIONAL Back in league action, Larkhall Athletic Ladies were given a nervy final 15 minutes by battling Southampton Saints in South West Division 1 but came out 3-2 victors. The opening half hour saw endto-end football where neither side could hit the target with the final ball. It was the home side who eventually broke the deadlock when Mel Sartain broke down the left and struck the ball nicely between keeper and near post. Kate German then missed out on doubling the lead minutes later when her attempted lob from 25 yards rebounded from the crossbar, she did however score in the final minute of the opening half. Substitute Lizzie Barrett then made it 3-0 on 75 minutes with a superb strike only minutes after entering the field of play. Southampton then broke quickly from the restart and neatly chipped the ball over advancing keeper Nicola O’connell to pull one back. And five minutes later a second goal gave them real hope leading to a frantic final ten minutes which Larks survived.
■ SOUTHERN LEAGUE Titlechasing Moneyfields left Plain Ham winners by the narrowest of margins against Larkhall Athletic. It was the hosts that led from the penalty spot after Lewis Powell tucked home. However, a stunning Lloyd Rowlatt effort hauled the Hampshire side level and they went on to nick all three points thanks to Conor Bailey’s goal.
■ TOOLSTATION LEAGUE Bitton kept up the pressure on the frontrunners in the Premier Division with a 1-0 home win against Odd Down. Josh Egan’s one-onone finish settled the contest with 15 minutes left on the clock. On Tuesday, Aysa Corrick, Ben Bament and Egan, plus a brace from Jordan Whittaker helped Bitton progress in the Gloucestershire Challenge Trophy, beating Almondsbury 5-3. Bradford Town, meanwhile, smashed five goals past Cadbury Heath without reply. They went ahead as early as the sixth minute when Charlie Maddison found the net, Jamie Lyons doubling the tally before half-time. Martin Lenihan scored within a minute of the restart to virtually end the contest. Yet there was still time for Jacob Sloggett and Will Hailstone to add some gloss to the scoreline in the dying minutes. Division 1 saw Keynsham Town keep up their promotion push by overcoming struggling Chippenham Park 3-2. Adey Harvey teed up Michael Grist for the opening goal, though Park were level at half-time. It wasn’t until after the 70-minute mark that Keynsham went back in front as Harvey nodded home. And the Ks star added another five minutes later, this time Matt Brown making the assist. The Chippenham side pulled another back to set up a close finale, but Keynsham held on to remain second. Elsewhere, Jamal Chevolleau’s brace saw Corsham Town defeat Ashton & Backwell United 2-0, both goals arriving within the first halfhour.
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE Fry Club recorded a 2-1 win over fellow high flyers Shirehampton in the Premier Division to keep them hot the heels of leaders Nailsea & Tickenham. Callum Baker and Ed Searle netted for the Keynsham-based side, now one point behind the tabletoppers with a game in hand. Odd Down Reserves lost 2-0 at Middlezoy Rovers. Timsbury Athletic were pegged back at the last in a 2-2 draw at Yatton & Cleeve United. They had led twice through Rhys Cook and Matt Brookes in Division 1. Meanwhile, Saltford were left with another defeat as they fell 3-1 against Winscombe and sit seven points off leaders Bridgwater Town Reserves in second. Aaron Messenger had netted their consolation. Peasedown Miners Welfare took a point from a goalless draw against Welton Rovers Reserves in Division 2, but Fry Club Reserves lost 4-1 at their Ashton & Backwell counterparts. In Division 3, Tunley Athletic narrowly lost 3-2 at Banwell, Scott Hynam netting both their goals. Corsham Town Reserves lost 2-1 at Kintbury Rangers in the Wiltshire Senior League.