An unlucky last 13 minutes for Larks
Larkhall Athletic have ended their Southern League with a 2-0 defeat at Evesham United, both goals coming in the final 13 minutes.
Conceding late goals has been a feature of the Larks’ recent games as they also finished without scoring since March 26 and 12 games without a win.
Samuel Judge broke the deadlock for Evesham on 77 minutes before the points were sealed six minutes later through Adam Mace.
Larkhall have also held their end of season presentation. Kit man Rob York received a basket of Newcastle Brown Ale as chairman Paul Rankin began the evening. Steve Charman was awarded the Arthur Slip Cup for Clubperson of the Year and there was special mention for goalkeeper Shaun Semmens before he leaves the club after six years. The Egg of the Season award was jointly won by Joe Hillard and Jack Camm, while Josh Jones scooped the Supporters’ Player of the Year.
■ WESTERN LEAGUE Bitton ended their Premier Division campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat at Ilfracombe Town. David Duru hit the post as early at the second minute before Ilfracombe went down the other end and opened the scoring through Joseph Barker.
Matthew Dunk was called into action to tip a half-volley over the bar before Duru had a goal disallowed for offside as Bitton looked for a route back into the game. That came on 17 minutes when Dean Griffiths smashed home from 20-yards. Bitton looked to build and Ben Withey’s cross was just glanced wide by Duru. Jordan Williams also struck a good chance off target.
Matthew Groves had the next effort straight at the goalkeeper who also produced a point-blank save before Jack Sheppard-cozens fired the rebound over. The second half got off to a slow start before Duru had another effort saved with 15 minutes to go.
Substitute Oliver Porter was sent off just three minutes to leave Bitton a man down and Ilfracombe took full advantage to go 2-1 ahead and Bitton beaten on the final day. Bitton ended the campaign 12th and had their end of season presentation, which saw Callum Ball pick up the Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player awards, Matt Groves was named the Manager’s Player of the Season and Dean Griffiths was their top goal scorer.
Keynsham Town have finished tenth after their 2-1 win against Mousehole in their final league game of the season. Will Hailston gave Keynsham the lead on five minutes before doubling his tally just three minutes later. Seth Locke made a great save to deny Mousehole before half-time before their
Cornish visitors were able to get one back in the second half.
After the game, manager John Allen wrote a statement of thanks on the club’s website: “Thank you to all our supporters and sponsors for all your support this season, to say it’s invaluable to us is an understatement, whether it’s sponsoring a player to sponsoring the club or paying at the gate, every penny helps and ultimately contributes to our club being able to compete at this level.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our committee, President, chairman, secretary and treasurer. In short, a group of volunteers who have worked tirelessly to help transform our club. There are so many factors to running a club and a lot of the really important stuff gets done silently behind the scenes. Your support has been invaluable and quite frankly, without you all, we would not be where we are today .
“It’s been a long season, our first full one since being promoted three seasons ago. We amassed 53 points which I have been reliably informed is our highest return at this level since the 1974/75 season. I write this as the manager but in truth I am part of a management team, my job is impossible without Russ, Josh, Rich and Jamie.
“On the pitch we couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of our players. Individually and collectively they have been superb. I couldn’t wish for a more humbler, hard working and talented group of lads. They have helped elevate our club to another level since promotion three seasons ago and have the potential to become the most successful Keynsham Town Team in our history.”
Keynsham faced Cadbury Heath last night in their Les Phillips Cup semi final.
Josh Clark netted a hat-trick for Odd Down in their 3-3 draw against Wincanton Town last Wednesday in Division One. A double from
Luke Bryan in the final 20 minutes then gave Odd Down a 2-1 win at home to Almondsbury before their busy week continued on Monday against AEK Boco. Despite Bryan and Omar Simpson scoring, Boco won 4-2 with Simpson and substitute Raphael Waugh both getting sent off late on. Odd Down host Cheddar in their final game on Saturday where a win could give them an outside chance of stealing the final play-off place.
■ HELLENIC LEAGUE Bradford Town’s season came to an end after losing in the Bluefin Sport Challenge Cup semi finals on penalties.
George Box netted his 40th goal of the campaign to give Bradford a first half lead before Pegasus levelled having hit the bar early in the second period.
Box had another effort cleared off the line, while Marko Radovanovic kept Bradford in the tie with a great save late on.
In the shoot-out, Aaron Witchell hit the post as it stood 2-2 after three kicks each. Baker then had his penalty saved as Pegasus won 4-3 to reach Monday’s final.
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE Timsbury Athletic’s crucial home match against fellow-promoted side Wells City Reserves ended honours even in Division One after a hard-fought 1-1 draw. If Timsbury now win their final two matches, both against Middlezoy Rovers Reserves, they will be champions.
Wells created the first real chance after ten minutes when Jack Padfield burst clear down the left and forced Ashton Tucker into a good save, tipping over the bar. Padfield had another effort before Wells took an 18th minute lead when another cross from the left was headed in by Jake Brown.
Timsbury’s equaliser, when it came, was the result of perseverance from leading scorer Rhys Cook who put goalkeeper Harrison Veale under pressure before slotting in from wide on the right. A frantic goalmouth scramble saw
Timsbury come close to adding a second, while Tucker had to be alert to foil Padfield. Cook’s clever flick went just wide on half-time.
Early in the second period, Cook put Hancock through but his shot was blocked and Cook fired wide. As Wells stepped up the pressure, Timsbury held firm and Tucker dealt with high balls well in the windy condition, especially from Rob Banfield’s probing cross.
Timsbury always looked dangerous on the break and a fine ball from Toby Neilson sent Chris Midgley clear, only for the forward to lose control as the ball bobbled. Despite their pressure, Wells failed to create many clear chances, with Ollie Bryant’s high effort the closest they came to winning.
■ ELSEWHERE, Keynsham Town Reserves remain a point away from being relegated from the Premier Division. Chard Town’s win at the weekend sees them safe and three points clear of Keynsham, who have played all of their games, while Ilminster Town need a point from their remaining two games to stay up and see Keynsham ousted from the top division.
Peasedown Miners Welfare are now unable to earn promotion from Division Two. Joe Gurner netted as early as the eighth minute before Bertie Haines received two yellow cards in their 1-1 draw at second-place Ashton & Backwell United Reserves which keeps them four points with PMW only having one game left to play.
■ MID SOMERSET LEAGUE
Weston suffered a league and cup double defeat this week to leave their season hanging in the balance. Last Wednesday, Weston travelled to Shepton Mallet’s ground to face Wells City A in the final of the Dimmock Green Cup. Having gone 1-0 down on 25 minutes, Thomas James Rosevear put Weston level ten minutes into the second half. However, Wells struck in eight of the final 20 minutes to win 3-1 and lift the trophy.
The two sides met again on Saturday in a top of the table clash in the Premier Division. This time Weston had no answer to Wells and went down 3-0 to see Wells move three points clear with a game in hand. Weston have two league games remaining this season, compared to Wells’ three.
Weston’s disappointing week continued on Tuesday when they lost 6-4 at Evercreech Rovers in the first round of the Charity Cup.
Peasedown Albion were thrashed 9-0 by Division One leaders Mells & Vobster.
■ WOMEN’S FOOTBALL Chloe Snook netted in the final minute to score a consolation for Larkhall Athletic after they finished their National League Division One South West campaign with a 6-1 defeat at Southampton Women.
Vicky Vipond gave Keynsham Town Reserves a first half lead against Paulton Rovers in the South West Regional League Eastern Division, but Paulton were able to peg them back to draw 1-1.