Keynsham recover to progress in Vase
Keynsham Town sealed their place in the second round of qualifying in the FA Vase after fighting back to beat Bodmin Town 3-2.
After trailing 2-0, the K’s gave themselves a little bit of hope in the final moments of the first half when Nathan Curnock pulled a goal back.
With 20 minutes left on the clock, Matt Brown pulled the Western League side level, and then in the closing stages they completed their comeback thanks to a late winner from Jack Dancey. Keynsham will now travel to Oldland Abbotonians.
Corsham Town were knocked out on penalties against Brockenhurst. Miles Littlechild had given Corsham the lead in the first half and Dan Shanley was denied a second after his free-kick was saved by the fingertips of the Brockenhurst keeper.
Brockenhurst levelled things from the spot in the second half, and then used that earlier practice to win the shoot-out 6-5 to knock Corsham out.
Odd Down were also knocked out on penalties after drawing 2-2 with Brislington. Tom Burgess had levelled for Odd Down before Jacob Bird gave them a 2-1 lead at the break. Brislington were able to level things in the second half before winning 3-2 in the shoot-out.
■ SOUTHERN LEAGUE Larkhall Athletic began their league campaign with a great comeback in a 2-2 draw at Bideford. After Joe Tumelty and Dan Demkiv fired wide for the hosts, Bideford took the lead from the penalty spot before Larkhall were to rue further misses after going 2-0 down.
Lewis Powell hit the bar as Larkhall were further frustrated before substitute Brad Norris was able to pull one back with a header from a James Byrne ball.
After the Bideford keeper spilled a shot, Larkhall were level through Jack Camm to earn a point. Birthday boy Leon Greenland was named man of the match.
■ WESTERN LEAGUE Bitton made it two wins from two after beating Bradford Town 3-2. Bradford started well as Johnny Gorman forced a save before a Witchell cross was headed in by Morgan Marsh. Bitton levelled from the spot after Joe Mcclennan was brought down and Ibrahima Diallo duly converted.
Mcclennan was then on hand to cross for Matt Tanner to make it 2-1 at the break. Diallo netted his second to make it 3-1 with some beautiful footwork and, after a misjudge from the keeper, Bradford were able to pull one back through Lewis Powell.
Last Wednesday, half-time sub Lewis Powell helped lead Bradford Town to a 4-1 win over Chipping Sodbury. With the game level at the interval, Powell was inserted into the contest, making an almost immediate impact when he restored the Bobcats’ lead.
Late impact also came from Morgan Marsh, with the creative midfielder scoring Bradford’s third, before laying on the assist for Powell who wrapped up the home side’s first three points of the season.
On Tuesday, Keynsham battled to a 2-2 draw at Hallen courtesy of goals from Jack Dancey just after the half hour mark and Nathan Curnock on 66 minutes.
■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Corsham
Town Reserves were involved in a lot of goals this week. They beat Malmesbury Victoria Development 3-2 for a first league win on Saturday courtesy of goals from Jake Dodge, Chay Forrester and Benjamin Wickens. Before that, Corsham had drawn 3-3 with local rivals Odd Down Reserves.
Jamal Chevelleau netted a brace with another from substitute Jack Brian, while James Noad and Connor Westerside were amongst the goals for the hosts, who did have William Humphries sent off. Odd Down were then beaten 4-1 on Saturday at Wroughton.
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE Fry Club followed up their opening day draw in the Premier Division with a 4-1 victory at Mendip Broadwalk, who finished the game with ten men. Keynsham Town Reserves ended goalless at home to Stockwood Wanderers.
In Division One, Saltford managed a 3-1 win over Yatton & Cleeve United to top the pile with six points from six. Ellis Hancock was on target for Timsbury Athletic, but they suffered a 4-1 defeat at Somerton Town to begin their campaign with two defeats at the other end of the table.
Fry Club Reserves were beaten heavily, 5-0 by Ashton & Backwell Reserves to remain without a point and on minus nine goal difference from their opening two games in Division Two, while goals from Lewis Cross, Bertie Haines, Nathan Maggs, Jordan Rogers and Alexander Young saw Peasedown Miners Welfare to a great 5-0 thrashing at home to Long Ashton.
In Division Three, Tunley Athletic played out a 2-2 draw at home to Somerton Town Reserves, Cordelle Harwood and Jack Rowlands got on scoresheet.
■ MID-SOMERSET LEAGUE Bath Villa began their Premier Division campaign with a 3-0 defeat at Victoria Sports. Weston began in fine fashion at Odd Down Playing Field with a 4-1 win over Peasedown Albion, Lee Gould netted the consolation.
Connor Liddiard was on the scoresheet for the Reserves, but they went down 5-1 at home to Wessex in Division One, while Timsbury Athletic Reserves were beaten 2-1 by Evercreech Rovers, Ben Flower netting for Timsbury. Salford Reserves suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to Frome Collegians in Division Two.
■ WOMEN’S NATIONAL Keynsham Town opened up their Southern Premier Division campaign with a resounding 5-1 win over Plymouth Argyle. Ellie Curson opened the scoring after four minutes before Ella Hitchcox added a second seven minutes later.
Plymouth pulled one back before the half hour mark, however the two goal lead was reassured through Corinne Yorston four minutes before the break. Justine Lorton and substitute Alys Hinchcliffe added two more in the final ten minutes to see Keynsham off to a great start. The Reserves were beaten 6-4 in the Reserve South
Division and the Development side 2-0 against Bishops Lydeard Reserves in the Somerset Women’s County League Division One.
■ After a long pre-season, Larkhall Athletic opened with a 2-2 draw against Maidenhead in South West Division One.
Maidenhead were forced to make a change after just four minutes when captain Alex Dover went down a serious looking knee injury, but was able to hobble off the field with the aid of crutches.
That didn’t deter them though as Maidenhead took the lead on 25 minutes after a defensive mix-up saw a clearance charged down by Simone O’brien and the ball looped into an empty net.
Larkhall responded instantly after a long-range shot was turned behind, Adele Hooper’s corner to the far post was met by Amanda Blakely to force home the equaliser.
Maidenhead restored their lead early in the second half through a quick break finished off by Natalie Barnessaw, but again Larkhall levelled just after the hour with a freekick from Hooper.
This weekend Larkhall travel to Swindon Town, 2pm kick-off, before going to Brislington on Thursday, 7.30pm kick-off.