Larkhall three points off second after Norris brace
Larkhall Athletic moved to within three points of secondplaced Thatcham Town in the Southern League Division One South after a 3-1 win over Winchester City.
Brad Norris gave Larks a seventh minute lead which was cancelled out by Kieran Douglas on the half hour mark. Joe Tumelty restored Larkhall’s lead on 72 minutes before Norris assured his side of the points with ten minutes remaining.
■ WESTERN LEAGUE Bitton were in fine form this weekend, beating Bridport 5-0. Debutant Liam Bishop made an instant impact after skipper Scott Brice whipped home an excellent free-kick to break the deadlock in the 28th minute, striking in first half stoppage time to give Bitton a twogoal lead at the interval.
Matt Groves then played a starring role for the away side in the early stages of the second half, providing assists for both Jordan Whittaker and then Bishop as Bitton took control of the game. The final goal came on the hour and it was that man Bishop once more, with his first game for his new club ending with him taking home the match-ball following a fine treble.
Odd Down remain bottom after relinquishing an early lead during their 2-1 loss at home to Buckland Athletic. The Bath outfit have been on a horror run of form, and after Charlie Wiles-richards had headed them in front, they were unable to keep their opponents at bay, with Lloyd Gardner equalising not long after the opener.
Both sides were then reduced to ten men following a pair of straight red cards, and it was Buckland who reacted best, taking all three points home with them when Gardner struck once more in the closing stages.
Joint-leaders Bradford Town, only second on goal difference, will face third-placed Hallen in the semi-finals of the Les Phillips Cup.
■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Corsham Town kept tabs with leaders Shrewton United after beating Trowbridge Town 2-0. Joshua Hard and Miles Littlechild were on the scoresheet as Corsham remain a point behind the leaders in third but have played a game more.
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE There 2-0 home defeats for both Fry Club and Keynsham Town Reserves in the Premier Division, against Clevedon United and Chilcompton Sports respectively. The rest of the league was ravaged by the latest spate of bad weather.
■ WOMEN’S NATIONAL Keynsham Town Ladies booked their place in the final of the Somerset Senior Cup. They thrashed Middlezoy Ladies 6-1 and will meet fellow Southern Premier side Yeovil Town Women in the final, who dispatched Larkhall Athletic Ladies the previous week 4-1 in a game switched to the 3G pitch at Bridgwater & Taunton College.
In that game, Larkhall defended well early on as goalkeeper Nicola O’connell was kept on her toes. Kate German headed wide for Larks on 15 minutes before Yeovil opened the scoring through Chloe Lloyd. The lead was doubled on 38 minutes through captain Annie Heatherson, beating O’connell in a one-on-one.
Heatherson broke through early in the second half to make it 3-1, which was reduced to 3-2 when Rhian Robbins netted after some good play.
Ellie Strippel completed the victory for Yeovil to book their place in the final.