Second half goals oust Larks from cup
Larkhall Athletic have been knocked out of the FA Cup at the first qualifying round.
Hosting Cirencester Town of the Southern League Division One Central, the Larks failed to impose themselves as the first half remained goalless. But two goals in the second period saw Cirencester win the tie and progress at Larkhall’s expense, who continue to struggle in the early part of this season.
Larkhall will be hoping for a better result in the FA Trophy on Saturday when they host Melksham Town in the first qualifying round.
■ WESTERN LEAGUE Keynsham Town recorded back to back clean sheets as they look to get their Premier Division campaign off the ground. After their 4-0 win at home to Wellington on Bank Holiday Monday, Keynsham travelled to in-form new boys Sherborne Town.
After a first half with little to choose between the sides, the game looked to be finishing goalless until springing into life in the final minutes. After a fantastic save from Joel Manning to keep Sherborne out, Keynsham went up the other end and won the game through a fabulous strike from Jemar Thomas. Six points from their last two games has moved Keynsham up to 16th, but they have played more games than all but leaders Bridgwater United.
Bitton remain without a win at the bottom of the table after suffering their first defeat to Welton Rovers since 2010. Liam Monelle looked lively early on for Bitton, but they fell behind on 20 minutes when Matt Dunk could only get fingertips to a free-kick which was tapped home from the rebound.
They came more into the game as the first half drew to a close and Lucas Vowles forced a point-blank save from Alfie Kelsey. Archie Thayer also had a good chance but blazed over as it remained 1-0 at the break. Bitton continued their pressure into the second half which saw Ashley Kendall direct a ball wide at the back post.
Vowles managed to round Kelsey before squaring to Thayer, but his effort was blocked, before Vowles finally got the equaliser they deserved after Kendall played the ball over the top for the striker to score. With Bitton now pushing for the lead, they fell behind four minutes later after a set-piece was only half-cleared and Welton volleyed the ball past Dunk’s out-stretched hand. It finished 2-1.
In the First Division, Odd Down were pegged back in the second half to draw at home to Longwell Green Sports. Luke Bryan gave Down a fourth minute lead, slotting home from a lovely throughball. It looked as though Down would win the game, before lapse of concentration in the back allowed Longwell to net in injury time.
■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Unbeaten Larkhall Athletic Development went 1-0 up against Ludgershall Sports on 15 minutes, Luke Bell scoring with a header. They extended their lead on the hour when James Payton also scored with his head to make it 2-0.
Leaders Ludgershall got a foothold back in the game seven minutes from time, leading scorer Luke Holden scoring his sixth of the campaign. However, any chance of getting anything out of the game was extinguished five minutes later when Brad Evans curled a free-kick to give his side an excellent 3-1 away win and inflict a first defeat of the season on Ludgershall.
The win lifts Larkhall to within a point of the leaders with two games in hand. The Division One title favourites are back in action next Saturday when they travel to Devizes Town Reserves.
■ SOMERSET SENIOR CUP Tunley Athletic have been knocked out at the first round stage following their 3-0 defeat at Street Reserves.
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE Timsbury Athletic were able to salvage a draw at Clutton in the Premier Division. It wasn’t the best of games and Timsbury produced a rather poor performance, but Rico Sobers was on hand to secure a point. Lucas Hawkins put in a good performance having stepped up from the reserves.
Fry Club played out a goalless draw at home to Watchet Town, while Keynsham Town Reserves suffered a 3-1 defeat against Chilcompton Sports.
Peasedown Miners Welfare made it three wins from three in Division Two after a patient 2-0 win over Glastonbury. A quiet game was finally broken on 66 minutes when captain Theo Avis emerged from the back and slotted into the bottom after a couple of neat onetwos. As Glastonbury looked for the equaliser, Chris Pile held off a defender before playing the ball into the path of Nathan Maggs who in turn fed Sam Cray to make it 2-0 with nine minutes remaining. Peasedown dug in and held on to the points in front of a good crowd who enjoy hot drinks and snacks from the new canteen.
In Division Three, Fry Club Reserves suffered a 3-1 defeat at Clevedon United Reserves.
■ MID SOMERSET LEAGUE Thomas Woodland’s goal proved enough for Peasedown Albion to edge past Frome Collegians Reserves 1-0 as they began their Premier Division campaign. Peasedown ended the game with then men following Kory Moore’s red card.
Connor Liddiard netted twice for the Reserves in Division One, but they were thrashed 7-2 by Haydon Sports. Saltford Reserves enjoyed a 6-0 thrashing of Somer Valley Sports Reserves in Division Two.
■ WOMEN’S FOOTBALL Keynsham Town’s difficult start to their National League Division One South West campaign continued with an 8-0 thrashing from AFC Bournemouth.
Larkhall Athletic are also searching for their first win of the season after two defeats in a week. Last Wednesday, Hannah Price scored twice but the Larks were edged out in a five-goal thriller against Portishead. They were then beaten 5-0 by Moneyfields on Sunday.
In the Reserve South West Division, goals for Tamzin Dunne, Hannah Sims and Vicky Vipond helped Keynsham Reserves to a 3-2 win over Exeter City Reserves.