Second half efforts come as consolation
Larkhall Athletic’s new manager Ollie Price would have been pleased with his side’s second half performance after they were unlucky not to take a point from their Southern League Division One South encounter at home to AFC Totton.
Hisham Kasimu netted in the first and last minutes of the opening half to give Totton a 2-0 lead at the break, virtually stunning the Larks both times. Larkhall were much the better team in the second half and were rewarded just ten minutes in when they earned a penalty which saw Totton down to ten men. Dale Evans converted and although the Larks huffed and puffed, they were unable to find a leveller.
■ WESTERN LEAGUE The battle between the top two was incredibly tight, with Tavistock just doing enough to secure the 1-0 win at home to Bitton.
There was plenty of drama from the opening moments, with the away side awarded an early penalty, which Tavy keeper Josh Oak managed to keep out.
The hosts seemed to gain momentum from that early let-off and took the lead ten minutes before the break when top scorer Liam Prynn converted a Dan Koita pull-back. There was plenty of big tackles during the second half, and Bitton suffered both a sin-binning and a red card, with Stuart Henderson’s charges holding on to claim the crucial victory.
Ashton & Backwell United ended their seven-match losing run, cancelling out goals from Jack Dancey and Callum Baker to claim a 2-2 draw at home to Keynsham Town.
Keynsham were then knocked out of the Somerset Premier Cup on Tuesday after they were beaten 4-0 by Southern League Westonsuper-mare.
In Division One, goals in either half from Luke Bryan and Luke Smith saw Odd Down cancel out Craig Wilson’s long range opener on their way to a last-gasp 2-1 triumph at Bishop Sutton to move up to eighth.
■ HELLENIC LEAGUE Corsham Town enjoyed a fantastic 2-0 win at third-place Cribbs to go level on points, with a game in hand. Matthew Morris scorched a screamer into the net on the half hour mark to give the Quarrymen a half-time lead before debutant Baldwin Igbinobaro came off the bench to secure the points four minutes from time.
Remaining a point behind Corsham, with a further game in hand, is Bradford Town after they held off Hereford Lads Club. A mix up at the back provided debutant William Taylor with the opener on 19 minutes before the Bobcats had a glorious chance to double their advantage from the spot, but Charlie Wiles-richards blasted over.
Bradford were able to double their lead right before half-time through man of the match Jake Brown, but Hereford pulled a goal back on 65 minutes via Jamie Cuthbertson to set up a nervy final 25 minutes. Bradford hung on though to remain on the coattails of their local rivals.
■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Corsham Town Development were knocked down to fourth after suffered a 4-0 defeat at home to Trowbridge Town who leapfrogged the Quarrymen and move two points ahead.
■ SOMERSET SENIOR CUP Timsbury Athletic are through to the quarter-finals after comfortably beating Somerset League Premier Division side Watchet Town 4-0. Midgley brothers Chris and Tim weighed in three of the goals, while home keeper Ashton Tucker saved a penalty to keep a clean sheet and spare them a difficult last ten minutes.
Chris Midgley had a chance in the opening minute after breaking clear, but shot wide, while at the other end Matt Brooks did well to deny Billy Jones. The breakthrough came on 16 minutes when a fine run down the right from Ebner Heatley ended with an inch-perfect cross for leading scorer Rhys Cook to volley home.
Cook could have doubled the lead soon after but shot over, while Watchet also had chances with Callum Taylor needing to clear off the line from Brandon Walsh. On the half hour, Timsbury’s second did come when Chris Midgley tapped home a Cook cross. The game had to then be stopped for five minutes when Midgley damaged the side netting, looking to get on the end of a Heatley cross and repairs were needed to be made.
Shortly before half-time, Midgley did add to his tally, benefitting from a fine Toby Neilson run to tuck past Callum Knight for 3-0. Watchet made a strong start to the second half and, after Adam Jefferies was wide from distance, Aaron Deeks hit the bar and Connor Jeromson headed over from close range.
Knight was soon back in action though to save well from Cook and Tim Midgley before denying Cook again after a fine ball from Liam Craze. Watchet’s lifeline came and went as Tucker saved Walsh’s penalty and Timsbury instantly added their fourth thanks to a deflected shot from Tim Midgley. Deeks had a late chance for a consolation but fired over from close range.
Wiltshire League’s Odd Down Reserves were knocked out after losing 2-1 at Somerset League’s Nailsea & Tickenham.
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE Fry Club were able to edge a five-goal thriller at Clutton to remain ninth in the Premier Division, but they did move level with Chilcompton Sports. A further point behind still is Keynsham Town Reserves who beat bottom
side Westfield 3-1.
Samuel Sarre netted six minutes from time to give Saltford a 1-0 victory at third-bottom Middlezoy Rovers Reserves in Division One. Peasedown Miners Welfare were humbled 7-2 by Division Two leaders Castle Cary, while goals for George Bean and Dan Brailey helped Tunley Athletic to a 2-2 draw at home to Burnham United Reserves in Division Three.
■ MID SOMERSET LEAGUE Peasedown Albion have been knocked out of the Paulton Hospital Cup by the same side they lost to in the quarter-finals of the Dimmock Green KO Cup.
Jack Newman netted for Albion but they lost 2-1.
Weston have gone top of the Premier Division on goal difference, and having played a game more, after thrashing bottom side Pilton United 7-3. Saltford Reserves closed the gap on Division One leaders Mells & Vobster to six points after they thrashed bottom side Peasedown Albion Reserves 5-1.
Goals from Mark Hancock and Gary Pearcy earned Timsbury Athletic Reserves a 2-0 win at Farrington Gurney.
■ WOMEN’S FOOTBALL Larkhall Athletic suffered a 4-0 loss at Maidenhead United in Division One South West of the Women’s National League. Eleanor-marie Briscoe was sent off in added time.