Larkhall unable to hold their early lead
Larkhall Athletic were unable to hold on to an early lead as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at bottom side Lymington Town.
Dawid Regula found the net after just nine minutes to put Larkhall in front from Jordan Williams’ cross. That good start was somewhat diminished in the 26th minute though when Lerone Plummer equalised from the spot which saw Thomas Bradley sent off for the Larks. Despite playing the rest of the game with ten men, Larkhall looked to be holding on for a point before Jireh Oyebamiji secured the win for Lymington with four minutes remaining.
It was a second consecutive defeat for the Larks who are now just a point ahead of Lymington, with a game in hand, but are still two points off Slimbridge and Bristol Manor Farm.
THE Southern League is once again supporting Shelter’s No Home Kit festive campaign. Despite Covid-related postponements, last year’s campaign proved a huge success, with hundreds of clubs getting involved, altogether raising over £500k for the cause.
As the cost of living crisis worsens, homelessness and unsafe housing conditions are affecting all communities and organisations like Shelter help anyone facing homelessness or poor housing, whilst also fighting the systemic causes of the housing emergency.
The Southern League is encouraging all its clubs to dedicate one home fixture across the Christmas period to the campaign, wearing no home kit for that fixture and encouraging fans to get involved by swapping kits and donating.
Premier
■ WESTERN LEAGUE
bottom side Keynsham Town have moved level on points with Torpoint Athletic after a 95th minute goal from Henry Sady secured a 2-1 win over Millbrook. Sady had given Keynsham the lead inside ten minutes before Millbrook were able to level before the break. But Keynsham’s strong performance was rewarded with Sady’s stoppage time winner to join back up with the rest of the table, despite having played more games than all but 14th-place Welton Rovers.
In Division One, Odd Down played out a goalless draw at Tytherington Rocks and drop down to tenth in the table.
On Tuesday, Keynsham made it two wins in four days as they progressed through in the Les Phillips Cup.
Going to Tytherington Rocks, Owen Brain scored twice alongside goals for Sady, Will Sage and Amadou Jawo as Keynsham won 5-1.
They will meet either Shirehampton or Almondsbury in the next round.
Also through are Odd Down after the beat Portishead 2-0. Raf Waugh gave Down a half-time lead before Matty Morris’ corner was converted by Treyvond Anderson to secure their progress.
■ HELLENIC LEAGUE
Bradford Town went down to a single goal at home to Lydney Town to fall to a third consecutive defeat. Bradford had made a good start and forced Lydney into a save before Malachi Benjamin thought he had given the Bobcats the lead on 11 minutes, but it was ruled out for handball.
Despite their good start, Lydney took the lead on 15 minutes with what proved to be the winner. Again Bradford continued to look the more threatening side as they tried to get back into the game, but were nearly 2-0 down just before the break when Kieran Perrin had to make a good save from a counter-attack.
Benjamin had Bradford’s first attempt of the second half which was blocked and despite winning plenty of set pieces, Bradford were unable to get themselves back on level terms. Perrin had to make two great saves with four minutes remaining to keep it at 1-0 as Bradford had to settle for defeat. Aaron Witchell was named Bradford’s player of the match.
Off the field, it was announced that club captain Harry Rutty has departed on a permanent deal. The club thanked him for his services. ■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Odd Down Development had been on a tough run that had seen them win just one of their eight games before a visit from Shrewton United on Saturday. However, Shrewton’s own defensive woes continued as they conceded another four while Odd Down kept only their second clean sheet of
the season as they ran out 4-0 winners thanks to goals from Aidan Maslen, Jack O’brien, Charlie Myrie and Dominic Walter. The win moves them out of the bottom three.
Division One Larkhall Athletic Development knocked out Premier Division opponents Stratton Juniors to progress in the Fountain Trophies Cup. Larkhall once again found their scoring boots, smashing eight unanswered goals against an out-of-sorts Stratton side that only a week ago had given Premier Division leaders Trowbridge a tough game.
In a one-sided affair, both Marley Carpenter and Finn Norris bagged a brace, with further goals coming from Angus Williamson, James Book, Kyle Norris and a diving header from Ben Riccio. After knocking out Premier Division opposition, Larkhall will have fellow Division One Devizes Town Reserves to visit in the second round.
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE
Goals from Aaron Childs and Sam Kipling helped Keynsham Town Reserves to a 2-0 win at Watchet Town in the Premier Division. It’s enough to move Keynsham out of the bottom three on goal difference, although they have played more games than all but one side in the division.
Fry Club are now two points ahead in 11th after their 5-1 defeat at Worle. On Tuesday, Fry drew 1-1 at home to Stockwood Wanderers.
Saltford were 2-1 winners over Burnham United in Division One to move up to ninth, with games in hand on all the teams above them. Theo Avis and Joe Gurner scored for Peasedown Miners Welfare in Division Two, but they were beaten 4-2 at Cam Valley.
Fry Club Reserves suffered a 2-0 defeat at Draycott in Division Two. Nathan Baker scored for Tunley Athletic, but their wait for a first win of the season in Division Three continues after they went down 3-1 at Somerton Town Reserves.
■ MID SOMERSET LEAGUE
Peasedown Albion have dropped to third in the Premier Division after going down in a five-goal thriller at home to Frome Collegians Reserves. James Barnes netted a hat-trick for
Collegians who are now up to ten points after eight games.
■ INTERMEDIATE CUP Saltford Reserves have progressed through to the third round of the competition after holding off hosts Timsbury Athletic Reserves in a seven-goal thriller. Fry Club A have also made it through following a 3-1 win at Weston-supermare & District League side Banwell A.
FOOTBALL Mia Brain’s 73rd minute goal saw Larkhall Athletic to back to back wins in Division One South West of the FA Women’s National League. It avenges the defeat to Keynsham Town in the FA Cup and moves Larkhall above them on goal difference in ninth, having played to games more.
Vicky Vipond and Lauren Wylle both scored for Keynsham’s Reserves, but they suffered a 3-2 loss as Southampton Womens Reserves in the Reserve South West Division.
■ SUNDAY LEAGUE Whiteway moved onto nine games unbeaten following their 3-0 win at home to Weston Village - Team Nathan. Starting positively, Whiteway enjoyed good possession in the opening ten minutes and took the lead from a corner when Gary Jones tucked home after Weston failed to clear.
Great defending from Jack Dedman prevented Weston from instantly replying and although Whiteway continued to dominate the half, it remained 1-0 at the break. The second half followed a similar pattern, although Weston did have a couple of chances which were blocked by Finn Forster and Jacob Ford.
Whiteway continued to dominate possession as Weston defended deep. Debutant Niall Lovelock, Rich Quick and Tyrone Mulholland worked together well and man of the match Lovelock found space on the edge of the box to stroke home in off the post to make it 2-0. Weston were then down to ten men when skipper Kyle Eames brought Gary Jones down on the edge of the box and was sent off. The free-kick was converted by Jack Lewington to make it 3-0 with the final kick of the game.