Injury time winner sees Larkhall through
Larkhall Athletic edged out local rivals Bitton in added time to progress through to Saturday’s second round qualifying of the FA Cup.
Bitton took the lead after Mitchell Tippins played a lovely through ball which was dummied by Ryan Bath for Josh Egan to bypass a defender and slot home. Lewis Powell was able to equalise for Larkhall to make it level at the break.
Shaun Semmens pulled off a good save for Larkhall in the second half, but Bitton were able to retake the lead after a corner from Egan went over everybody to find Ashley Kington at the back post to nod home. Powell again levelled for the Larks, this time from the penalty spot, before the Southern League side broke the Western League team’s hearts in stoppage time with Alex Lambert making it 3-2.
Larkhall have set up another local derby with fellow Southern League side Frome Town on Saturday. Before their Southern League opener at the weekend, Larkhall signed Jake Thompson and then Joe Hillard from Paulton Rovers who were both among the substitutes against Willand.
After Powell, Dan Demkiv and James Byrne all had chances, it was Willand who took the lead against the run of play in the first half before adding a second in the second half to seal the opening day points.
■ WESTERN LEAGUE Bitton’s 100 per cent start was also taken away on Saturday after they came off the back of a seven-goal thriller at Shepton Mallet. Shepton opened the scoring through a quick counter attack before adding a second after half-time. A nice run down the line from Callum
Bell saw him hit a lovely cross for Aysa Corrick to reduce the arrears, but Shepton hit straight back to make it 3-1.
A ball over the top landed to Corrick who squared for Bath to once again reduce the deficit but Shepton again kept them at arm’s length by making it 4-2. Corrick’s shot was then saved before Liam Bishop netted with the rebound to make it a grandstand finish, but Shepton held on.
Corrick was on target on Tuesday night as he and Harrison Kyte gave Bitton a 2-0 win on Tuesday night against Cribbs.
Bradford Town recovered from their defeat a Bitton last week wth a 4-2 victory over Cadbury Heath on Wednesday night. Lew Powell had an early chance come back off the bar before Jake Brown hit the post after an initial cross was blocked.
Against the run of play, Cadbury took the lead with a powerful header and Bradford would have counted themselves unlucky not to gone into break level after missing a flurry of chances at the end of the first half, including a overhead kick from Powell which again hit the woodwork.
Morgan March did equalise for the Bobcats early into the second period but, after Bradford had strong penalty claims for handball waved away, Cadbury retook the lead. Aaron Witchell found the bottom corner with 15 minutes to go to level things once again and the turnaround was completed two minutes later through Brown after scoring from the edge of the box.
The win was assured nine minutes from time when Ball tapped home his second from close range. Cadbury then ended the game with ten men as Alex Wych was shown a straight red card.
After signing Shea Mannings from Odd Down, Bradford faced Clevedon Town on Saturday and drew 2-2. Mannings almost marked his debut with a goal but headed over from Marsh’s cross. Clevedon took the lead after Bradford gave possession away cheaply but Witchell made it two in two games to level from just inside the box.
The Bobcats took the lead when a Ross Lye ball into the box seemed to evade everyone and go in, despite Brown claiming he got a touch, before Lye hit another effort before the break. A double save from Marko Radovanovic kept Bradford in front early in the second half but Clevedon did equalise just after the hour mark through Archie Ferris.
Clevedon did go down to ten men after suffering a sin-binning, but Bradford were unable to take advantage apart from a Marsh header at the death which was headed off the line and a draw was finalised. During those two games, Bradford were able to raise £208.78 for Macmillan from their cake sales. The club also thanked Hitachi Infocon for sponsoring their training tops this season.
On Tuesday, Bradford slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Keynsham Town.
Odd Down secured their second win of the season, 4-1 at home to Bridport. A strike towards the end of the first half from Tom Burgess edged the hosts in front, before Will Hunter and Joe Jarvis each scored soon after the interval to put them three goals to the good.
An own goal gave Bridport a glimmer of hope, but Odd Down wouldn’t be denied and second half substitute Dylan Hatt scored a fourth in stoppage time.
Odd Down were then embroiled in a five goal thriller on Tuesday at home to Brislington.
After conceding a penalty on 27 minutes, Joshua Clark levelled for Odd Down seven minutes later before David Ishi gave Down the lead just before half-time.
Clark was then on hand to make it 3-1 six minutes into the second half and Odd Down held on after Brislington pulled one back on 63 minutes.
Corsham Town made it two wins from two in emphatic style with a 7-2 thrashing at Radstock Town in Division One. The home side just weren’t at the races, and trailed by three goals before finally getting on the scoresheet after 31 minutes through Scott Gregory.
For Corsham, Jamal Chevolleau bagged a hat-trick, with Leigh Rogers also striking twice for the rampant visitors.
A second half effort from James Rustell stemmed the flow slightly, but Corsham didn’t slow down, and ran out big winners with James Vincent and Gary Higdon also finding the back of the net for the Wiltshire side.
■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Odd Down Reserves claimed their second victory of the season with a 4-1 win at Marlborough Town, avenging their 4-1 defeat against Wroughton in their last outing.
A brace from Chay Forrester wasn’t enough for Corsham Town Reserves as they suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to Melksham Town Reserves, which was much better showing than the 5-0 drubbing they received against Frome Collegians on Wednesday.
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE Fry Club suffered their first defeat of the Premier Division campaign, 4-1 at home to Watchet Town. Sam Hewitt had reduced the arrears to 2-1 with his second goals of season on the hour mark. Keynsham Town Reserves were beaten 1-0 at home to Clevedon United, also their first loss of the season.
In Division One, Saltford claimed a 3-0 victory in the derby at Timsbury Athletic. Josh Arberry opened the scoring on 27 minutes before David Pollinger made it 2-0 on 68 minutes and added his second eight minutes from time.
A brace from Gurner alongside goals from Reynolds and Cross saw Peasedown Miners Welfare recover from 3-0 and 4-2 down to rescue a point and keep their unbeaten start in Division Two alive. Fry Club Reserves suffered a 6-2 thrashing at Castle Cary to remain without a point this season.
■ MID SOMERSET LEAGUE Bath Villa handed out an 11-2 thrashing of Pilton United in the Premier Division, while Coleford Athletic suffered a 6-1 defeat at home to Westfield Reserves. Curtis Dunn, Thomas James and substitute Brendan Brinkworth gave Weston a 3-0 victory at Victoria Sports.
In Division One, Peasedown Albion Reserves edged Timsbury Athletic Reserves 3-2. Jack Newman, Thomas Pielesz and Kris Seviour were on the scoresheet for Peasedown, with Ashley Curtis and Baltasar Eworo Jiminez on target for Timsbury. Saltford Reserves recorded a 3-1 win over Haydon Sports in Division Two while Timsbury Athletic A were beaten 3-0 by Clutton Reserves.
■ WOMEN’S Keynsham Town fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Portsmouth in the Southern Premier Division of the Women’s National League. The Reserves drew 3-3 with Yeovil United Development in the Reserve South Division.
Larkhall Athletic returned bitterly disappointed after losing 5-2 at Swindon Town in Division One SW. The hosts took the lead after a period of sustained pressure on 15 minutes when Ellie Olds slotted a one-on-one. Larkhall levelled five minutes later when a break quick saw Adele Hooper squeeze a low shot home.
Just before the break, Swindon broke down the right and Olds slid home a cross to restore the advantage. Larkhall went down to ten players after a sin bin and Swindon took full advantage with Olds completing a perfect hat-trick with a bullet header.
Two further goals late on from outside the box ensured the win for Swindon, but Larkhall did have the final say in added time with a long range free-kick.
After the game, manager Jay Powell stepped down from his position. The club thanked him for his time and effort with the club and are now looking for his replacement. Anyone interested in the role is asked to email their CV to larkhallathletic@gmail.com. Assistant manager Danielle Beazer and goalkeeping coach Luke Daniel will be taking temporary charge of the group.
Bath City Youth suffered a 13-2 mauling by visitors Melksham Town in the Wiltshire County Women’s & Girls League. Vicky Vipond managed four for Keynsham Town Development as they beat Paulton Rovers 6-1 in the Somerset County Women’s League Division One, Katie Brookes and substitute Poppy Lott also grabbed a goal.