Larks up their game to frustrate leaders
Larkhall Athletic managed to hold Southern League Division One South leaders Frome Town to a goalless draw at Plain Ham on Saturday.
Blustery conditions and a heavy pitch made it difficult for either side to put together any decent spells of possession in the first half, but Frome always carried a threat in attack. Stand-in captain Jon Davies nearly gave Frome a tenthminute lead when his powerful shot from the edge of the box cannoned back off the crossbar.
With the wind at their backs, the Robins had the better of the early exchanges. Davies was denied at the last by a determined block after James Ollis had picked him out in the box midway through the half, but it was not until the brink of halftime that a golden opportunity to take the lead presented itself.
After latching on to a long ball from James Carey, Kane Simpson rounded Larks goalkeeper Shaun Semmens and looked destined to slot home, but a last-ditch block ensured the game remained level at the interval.
Larkhall were much improved after the break, resulting in an endto-end second half. Simpson passed up another opportunity to open the scoring when he raced on to an Ollis pass before shooting straight at Semmens on the hour, but it was Larkhall who passed up the best chance to break the deadlock moments later.
After the Robins failed to adequately clearly a free-kick played into the box, Jack Pearson-brown clattered a shot against Carey’s post from close-range before the rebound was fired wide. Both sides pressed for a decisive goal in the time that remained, only for a combination of dogged defending and a number of misplaced passes on a difficult pitch ensuring that the contest would end scoreless.
■ WESTERN LEAGUE Saltash United gained revenge over Keynsham Town, securing a 3-0 victory at the Crown Fields. Since losing to the K’s a fortnight ago, Saltash had claimed a couple of hard-fought wins, with their latest three points helping establish their spot in the top five.
An excellent finish to the first half saw Reece Thompson and Sam Hughes score in the space of five minutes, with Callum Martindale wrapping up the victory from the spot on the hour.
A Luke Bryan double in the first half was enough to give Odd Down all three points against Bishop Sutton in Division One. Freddie Gwyther’s reply after the break was all that Sutton could muster.
Top scorer Luke Bryan netted his 29th goal of the season in the fifth minute after being played in by Josh Clark and then became the first player to hit the 30-goal milestone on 25 minutes. Half-time came with no further goals, but nine minutes after the interval Gwyther struck to reduce the arrears and although they worked hard, Sutton were unable to find an equaliser.
■ HELLENIC LEAGUE Bradford Town were able to bounce back from last week’s defeat to keep in touch with the chasing pack behind leaders Bishops Cleeve as the season draws ever closer to a finish. The Bobcats travelled to Hereford Lads Club and were indebted to George Box who scored a hat-trick on their way to winning to 3-2.
After Hereford took the lead, Box was able to level the affair eight minutes before the break before adding his second just three minutes later to turn the match on its head. After a big save from Jonny Hill kept Bradford in front, Box was able to claim the match ball from the penalty spot with 12 minutes remaining,
Hereford managed to pull a goal back to set up a grandstand finish, but Bradford held on to the three points. Before the mid-week games this week, including Bradford’s last home game of the season against derby rivals Corsham Town last night, the Bobcats remained fifth and six points off second-place Westbury United with three games to play.
The derby last night signalled Corsham’s penultimate game of the season, sitting two points further behind Bradford beforehand after they played out a goalless draw at home to third-place Cribbs in their final home game of the campaign. ■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Fourthplace Corsham Town Development travelled to Stratton Juniors buoyed by last week’s win over league leaders Pewsey Vale and having won five of their previous six games. However, opponents Stratton were also on their best run of the season. Corsham had won all three previous fixtures against Stratton and they maintained that 100 per cent winning record with a 4-0 success at Meadowcroft.
Adam Mitchell led the way with a hat-trick, taking his total for the season to 16, with a seventh of the season from Lewis Mccarron completing the scoring for the visitors. Corsham’s win meant that all of the top four were winners this weekend.
That included second-place Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development who beat Odd Down Reserves in a close-run affair. The home side went in front as early as the eighth minute when a powerful shot from Matt Bennett came down off the crossbar and whilst Ryan Withers made sure by heading into the net it was confirmed that the ball had already crossed the line.
In a half of limited chances, both Withers and Harry Walters had opportunities for Bassett but both put their shots wide. Three minutes before the break, Odd Down did have the ball in the net but the referee’s assistant already had his flag up before the shot was put away and it remained 1-0 at half time.
The second half continued in a similar fashion with few, if any, clear cut chances created until seven minutes from time when a foul by Jon Beeden in the box saw Odd Down awarded a penalty. Goalkeeper Simon Notman guessed correctly though to save Charlie Saunders’ spot-kick. The only real chance of any note in the
closing stages came when a crosscum-shot from Bennett from out wide came back off the crossbar, but this time it bounced away to safety as Odd Down were beaten 1-0.
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE Timsbury Athletic maintained their position at the top of Division One with a 3-1 victory at home to AFC Brislington, but they made hard work of it against a side who looked much better than their bottom club status and even led at the break.
The hosts created early chances and, after Tim Midgley was denied by goalkeeper Archie Didcott, Ellis Hancock shot over. Didcott then saved well from the other Midgley brother, Chris, before Timsbury goalkeeper Jack Scrivens did likewise against Mike Veale. Brislington were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area, but Connor O’toole’s shot caused few problems.
The away side’s wholehearted efforts were rewarded on 34 minutes when James Boon turned well to shoot into the bottom corner. Toby Neilson, who was lively throughout, shot over for Timsbury, while O’toole volleyed wide at the other end. Within two minutes of the restart, a newly reinvigorated Timsbury saw Rhys Cook race clear to fire home the equaliser.
Sean Derrick was wide with another effort before Hancock spurned a great chance as he volleyed over from Chris Midgley’s cross.
Timsbury did take the lead though on 55 minutes when Chris Midgley’s cross was squeezed in at the near post by Cook. As the hosts turned up the heat, Didcott saved from Neilson and then denied Hancock from close range.
Hancock went on to head against the crossbar before Timsbury claimed their crucial third with ten minutes remaining. Derrick was brought down in the box and Cook converted the spot kick for his hattrick. Derrick rattled the woodwork in the closing minute as Timsbury claimed the three points.
ELSEWHERE, Louis Buxton was sent off for Fry Club as they were beaten 3-0 at home to Stockwood Wanderers in the Premier Division. A goal from substitute Adam Barabasz helped Keynsham Town
Reserves to a 1-1 draw at home to Watchet Town to remain a point above second-bottom Watchet, who do have five games in hand. Keynsham have also moved ahead of Ilminster Town on goal difference, but have played four games more and have a nervous wait ahead of them.
Alex Mcarthur opened the scoring in the tenth minute as Saltford beat Winscombe in Division One. Aaron Messenger made sure of the points as he added Saltford’s second with 19 minutes remaining.
Peasedown Miners Welfare remain fully in the Division Two promotion race. A double from substitute Sam Cray, added to by Harry Mclachlan, helped Peasedown to a 3-0 win at Bishops Lydeard Reserves to sit two points off second place Cheddar Reserves with two games in hand and three points off leaders Castle Cary with a game in hand.
Third-place Ashton & Backwell United Reserves, who thrashed second-bottom Radstock Reserves 4-0 to further their relegation concerns, are a point ahead of Peasedown but have two games in hand on them. In Division Three, Fry Club Reserves were beaten 4-1 at title-chasing Combe St Nicholas.
■ MID SOMERSET LEAGUE
A double from Jack Newman helped Peasedown Albion to a 4-2 win at Evercreech Rovers in the Premier Division. Kory Moore and Christopher Preston scored the other Albion goals. As for their Reserves in Division One, Luke Higgins’ goal proved mere consolation in their 5-1 loss at home to Clutton Reserves.
■ WOMEN’S FOOTBALL Keynsham Town were thrashed 8-0 at home to Gillingham in the Southern Premier Division of the Women’s National League.
Rhian Robbins scored in the 28th minute for Larkhall Athletic but they were beaten 4-1 at Chesham United in Division One South West, less than ideal preparation for their Somerset Senior Cup final which was played last night against Bridgwater United.
A hat-trick from Fleur Jenkins helped Keynsham Town Reserves to a 3-3 draw against Warminster Town in the Eastern Division of the South West Regional League. Bath City were thrashed 7-0 at Swindon Spitfires in the Wiltshire League.