Larks make history after FA Cup drama

Club books place in next round after penalty shootout drama

■ FA Cup Larkfield Athletic made club history at Frome Town by booking a place in the Third Round Qualifying of the FA Cup for the first time - two rounds from the First Round proper!

This was a close-run tie which went right to the wire with a penalty shootout. The first half was goalless but not devoid of action, with Alex Lambert and new signing Jake Thompson getting close to scoring.

For their part, Frome battled back into the game in the first period and nearly exploited a defensive error to take the lead.

Buoyed by their performance in the first half, the Larks were solid in defence in the second and created some fine chances.

On around the hour mark the Larks their breakthrough when Golden Boot winner Lewis Powell steered the ball home under pressure from the Frome defence.

It took until the last minute of a closely contested game for the Robins to gain parity thanks to Jon Davies. The Larks took their penalties with considerable skill, Dan Demkiv, Brad Norris, Dale Evans and man of the match Joe Hillard defeating ex-lark Kyle Phillips in the Frome goal.

The real hero of the denouement of the game was keeper Shaun Semmens, who saved two penalties to secure the historic win. The Larks have been drawn away at fellow Somerset club Weston-supermare in the Third Round Qualifying of the FA Cup. The tie will be played on Tuesday, October 13.

Meanwhile, The Larks achieved their first league win of the season, away at Evesham United on Monday night. A depleted squad showed great character to dominate the game pretty much from beginning to end to win 1-0. Shaun Semmens dealt comfortably with any efforts on goal.

In-form forward Alex Lambert sealed the win in the first half, cutting in from the right and beating the Evesham keeper Lewis Clayton with a fine strike from an acute angle. The man of the match was Alex Lambert.

■ WESTERN LEAGUE

Corsham made it three wins on the spin away at Cheddar on Saturday afternoon. Lewis Powell headed the visitors ahead after three minutes. He then doubled his tally midway through the opening period.

Before long, Corsham had a third goal to their name, with Jamal Chevolleau slotting the ball home after the ball had been flicked on to him by strike partner Gary Higdon. The Cheesemen have endured some early season struggles, and despite suffering a fourth defeat, there was a positive for them with Joe Woodley heading home at the near post.

Bitton followed up a 5-0 home win against Odd Down on Saturday with 4-2 away win against Street on Tuesday night.

Keynsham lost 2-1 away at Clevedon Town on Saturday, while Bradford Town were trounced 6-1 at home to Exmouth Town.

■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE

Odd Down Reserves lost 3-0 at home to Melksham on Wednesday last week, while most of Saturday’s fixtures were wiped out by the weather.

■ SOMERSET LEAGUE

Goals from Harry Paice, Craig Parsons and Edward Searle gave Fry Club a 3-0 away win at Stockwood on Saturday in the Premier Division.

Keynsham Town Reserves suffered a 5-1 home defeat at the hands of Nailsea & Tickenham.

Chilcompton Sports secured their second Premier Division win of the season with a 3-0 away win at Middlezoy Rovers.

The visitors led 2-0 at half-time with goals from Curtis and Stewart, while Jack Smith ensured victory with a third in the second half.

In Division One, Saltford were beaten 4-0 at home against Uphill Castle while Timsbury Athletic put a difficult start to their campaign behind them with a 4-2 win away at Yatton & Cleeve Utd.

Welton Rovers Reserves were left bottom of the table after suffering their fourth defeat of the season with a 3-0 loss at Burnham United.

In Division Two, Peasedown Miners Welfare moved into third spot with a 2-0 away win at Long Ashton. Meanwhile Chew Magna were beaten 5-2 away at table toppers Glastonbury, and Radstock Reserves recorded their third draw in four starts with a 1-1 result at home to Brislington Reserves.

■ MID SOMERSET LEAGUE

In the Premier Division, Coleford Athletic enjoyed a narrow 6-5 win in a high-scoring match with visitors Chilcompton Sports Reserves on Saturday. Peasedown Albion slumped to a 4-3 home defeat at the hands of Victoria Sports while Cam Valley overcame visitors Bath Villa 3-2.

In the First Division, Mendip Rangers won 4-2 at Belrose while Chew Magna Reserves were overpowered by their visitors Farrington Gurney who won 4-2. Evercreech Rovers enjoyed a 2-1 home win against Somer Valley Sports. High Littleton went down 4-1 at home to Peasedown Albion Reserves while Timsbury Athletic Reserves also lost on home turf, in their case 1-0 to Wessex.

In the Second Divison, Clutton Reserves drew 2-2 with Frome Collegians

Reserves. Mells & Vobster won 2-1 at Haydon Sports First while Meadow Rangers went down 2-0 at home against Saltford Reserves. In a high-scoring affair, Timsbury Athletic A lost 6-2 at Stoke Rovers.

In the Third Division there was a big away win for Cam Valley Reserves, 10-2 at Chilcompton United. Evercreech Rovers Reserves lost 3-2 at home to Somer Valley Sports Reserves while Coleford Athletic Reserves were 3-0 victors at Westfield A.

■ WOMEN’S

An unbelievable start last Thursday evening at Brislington saw Larkhall take a six-goal advantage after only 15 minutes in their FA Women’s National League South West Division 1 match.

Adele Hooper opened the scoring before Rhian Robbins saw three goals for her hat-trick only for Hooper to add another two to complete her hat-trick moments later. Is this a record, two hat-tricks within the first 15 minutes of a game?

Brislington then picked themselves up and pulled two back before the half time whistle. Second half Brislington pressure saw them score another but a determined visiting side held on well for the three points.

At 9am on Sunday during torrential rain at Plain Ham the pitch was passed fit to play and the Larks earn a well-deserved point against Cheltenham Town Ladies in an entertaining game 3-3 draw.

Sadly, hours of work will be needed by the volunteer groundsmen to repair the damage caused to the playing surface.

Cheltenham opened the scoring on 11 minutes when Charlotte Criddle scored from a set-piece, a fantastic strike over the wall dipped enough to evade the goalkeeper.

The visitors then doubled their lead nearing the half hour when a fantastic touch by Jade Grove saw her turn into the box and fire across the goal into the far bottom corner.

The Larks pulled a goal back minutes later when Carley Bryant struck from the penalty spot after a hand ball in the box,

The visitors again increased their lead 10 minutes into the second half when Grove charged forward and fired over the onrushing goalkeeper from the edge of the Larkhall box.

The home side were to reduce the deficit again when Rhian Robbins produced a decent finish under pressure. Robbins then equalised on 60 minutes when she lobbed the outward rushing visiting keeper from outside of the box.

An intense second half was then completed without further goals as the pitch rapidly deteriorated and the going got tough for both sides.