Play-off destiny still in Larks’ hands
Four points in four days ensured Larkhall Athletic remained on track in their play-off bid in Division One South of the Southern League.
The Larks managed their first ever win over Bideford on Saturday, thanks to a towering performance by centre-forward Archie Ferris.
They didn’t have it all their own way though as Larkhall had to fight back from 2-0 down after Ryan Turner twice took advantage of lax defending. Ferris managed to pull one back though on the stroke of half-time to give Larkhall a toehold.
A pulsating second period saw four more goals scored as Ferris levelled the match after collecting a long-ball from midfield and calmly slot past Adam Seedhouse Evans. He then got his hat-trick with a cheeky side-footed chip.
That was matched by Turner also grabbing his treble after a mistake at the back which looked to ensure the points would be shared. Ferris though had other ideas and he nodded in the winning goal from substitute Lewis Graham’s headed pass to secure the points.
The win came off the back of a 1-1 draw with local rivals Frome Town - all but ending Frome’s title hopes to potentially see both sides in the play-offs this season.
A sharp start from Larkhall saw them take a third minute lead from a simple throw in. After an initial effort came back off the bar, Alex Lambert was on hand to score from the rebound.
Larkhall contained Frome without too much trouble, until the second half when the visitors began to throw players forward. Despite the pressure, Larkhall maintained their threat on the break and opportunities to extend their lead.
Frome though managed to level with five minutes remaining from a goalmouth scramble, despite Sam Boulton looking to have been fouled in the build up. Arthur Nasta made a couple of good saves to frustrate Frome further as the points this time were shared.
■ WESTERN LEAGUE Bitton continued their tight play-off tussle after overcoming fellow contenders Cribbs Reserves in a five-goal thriller.
After falling a goal behind, Ash Mcgrane levelled for Bitton from the spot before Steff Lee managed to turn the game on its head. It was Cribbs’ turn to respond and find an equaliser of their own, however Bitton secured the three points thourhg George Lloyd.
On Tuesday, Bitton continued their winning form with a 2-0 success at struggling Cheddar.
Toby Hucker was sent off for the hosts shortly before half-time, with Lewis Russell scoring from the subsequent free-kick.
After finally making the man advantage count, Joe Ellis made it 2-0 before substitute Jacob Watson also saw red for Bitton for a second yellow card.
Keynsham Town arguably did Bitton a favour as they managed to hold off play-off hopefuls Wells City 2-1. Joe Davis crucially gave Keynsham the lead on the stroke of halftime, before the Ks doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute.
Despite Wells pulling a goal back in the final minute of normal time, Keynsham held on for a good win to move them up to 17th.
Samuel Jordan netted four minutes from time to help Bradford Town to a point at local rivals Odd Down.
A fast start for Down saw Curtis Dunn give them the lead from a free-kick after 12 minutes. Despite a largely scrappy first half, Sam Thomson had to do well to tip a goal-bound effort wide as Down threatened to double their lead, before Jordan struck narrowly wide at the other end.
Jordan continued to be the Bobcats’ biggest threat, chipping off target after the restart, while man of the match Thomson was keeping Bradford in the game with a number of good saves. Scott Hatcher hooked another effort off the line as Down were arguably deserving of a second goal.
After Jordan missed another couple of chances, Down were finally made to pay for not putting the game to bed Jordan managed to find the net at the umpteenth time of asking to secure the point.
■ HELLENIC LEAGUE A single goal from Ryan Bath just after the hour saw Corsham Town through to the MARSH Challenge Cup semi finals to provide some consolation to their play-off heartbreak last week.
Visiting Highworth Town on Saturday, Corsham missed an early penalty in an otherwise scrappy
nd opening 25 minutes. That pattern continued in the second half, before Bath atoned for his spot-kick miss to convert inside the area following good footwork from Kye Simpson.
The chance of silverware could produce an positive end to a successful season that ultimately ended in disappointment. Facing Cinderford Town in the play-offs last Wednesday, Corsham were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline to end their hopes of promotion.
After Owen Humphries volleyed over from the edge of the box in the eighth minute, Corsham had the ball in the net from a corner - however they were penalised for a foul on the goalkeeper. Corsham continued to play on the front-foot, without really testing the goalkeeper, before Alfie Kelsey’s first save for Corsham proved a comfortable one on 27 minutes.
Cinderford cleared off the line shortly after the restart from Mark Cooper and, on 56 minutes, Cinderford managed to take the lead with a brilliant free-kick from 25-yards into the bottom corner. Goalscorer Dale Evans then turned villain of the piece when he was sent off following a brawl on 64 minutes.
Despite the man advantage, Corsham were unable to find a breakthrough as they ultimately came up just short. ■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Last Wednesday, Larkhall Athletic Development fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat at leaders Amesbury Town. Josh Moore put Amesbury ahead midway through the first half with a chip over the keeper after good work from Harry Lawton.
Amesbury doubled their lead just before the hour when great work by Ben Morris down the right saw him cross to the back post where Harry Beckley set up Moore for his second of the game. Three minutes later, Moore had his hattrick and his 34th goal of the season, Lawton once again with an assist.
The three-goal advantage did not last long though as Larkhall reduced the deficit three minutes later. It remained 3-1 until deep into injury time when Larkhall scored a second to make the final score 3-2 to the leaders, Andreas Smolka and substitute Angus Williamson with the Larkhall goals.
Four days later, Larkhall were beaten in another tight contest against second-place Kintbury Rangers. The game was decided by an early penalty which was put away by leading scorer George Armstrong for his 39th of the season.
Corsham made it through to the final on Tuesday after surviving a penalty shoot-out at home to Mangotsfield United.
Dean Griffiths gave the Quarrymen a 38th minute lead before that was cancelled out eight minutes into the second half by Mircea Ilea.
Despite Leon Greenland seeing red with five minutes to play, the sides could not be separated and needed penalties to see who would join Worcester City in the showpiece on May 6.
The tie was ultimately decided in sudden death as Corsham prevailed 7-6.
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE Fry Club enjoyed four points in four days in the Premier Division. Freddie Gwyther netted with a deflected shot as Frys drew 1-1 with Wells City Reserves last Wednesday, with Liam Gardner rolling back the years with a man of the match performance.
On Saturday, Gwyther was at it again as his goal with ten minutes to go proved enough to overcome hosts Uphill Castle. Frys remain a point off the top five with three games left to play this season.
Keynsham Town Reserves suffered a 4-0 defeat at home to Wells at the weekend to leave them tenth, six points clear of the bottom three having played more games than anyone in the division.
On Tuesday, Kyle Box managed to get on the scoresheet, however Keynsham were beaten 2-1 at Nailsea United.
Timsbury Athletic were on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller at Stockwood Wanderers. A makeshift visiting side saw goals come from Nat Flynn, Ellis Hancock and Reuben Hobbs, however they were beaten 4-3 to now sit four points clear of the fourth-place side.
Stefan Phillips and Ryan Wilkins were both on the scoresheet as Peasedown Miners Welfare played out a 2-2 draw with Minehead in Division One. It leaves Peasedown a point clear of Middlezoy Rovers Reserves in third however fifth-place Yatton & Cleeve United are only two points further behind with four games in hand.
In Division Three, Charlie Myrie was amongst the goals for Peasedown Albion as they played out a 2-2 draw with second-bottom hosts Burnham United Reserves.
On Tuesday, Peasedown continued their unbeaten form with a 3-1 win at Somerton Town Reserves.
Tunley Athletic now have only four games to earn their first point of the campaign after they suffered a 4-1 defeat at Nailsea United Reserves. Ladislaus Junior Chungu scored the Tunley goal.
Fry Club Reserves were beaten 6-2 at second-place St George Easton in Gordano and now sit three points off the top three.
A single goal proved enough on Tuesday to see Frys overcome visiting Draycott. ■ MID SOMERSET LEAGUE
Timsbury Athletic Reserves extended their advantage to eight points at the top of the Premier Division after beating Wells City A in their top of the table clash.
Cain Murphy and a first senior goal for Jack Roper saw Timsbury to a 2-0 win as Jack Newman claimed the man of the match honours in a brilliant team performance. Despite Timsbury’s advantage, Wells do have three games in hand which could still steer the title fight their way.
Timsbury’s hopes were dented somewhat though on Tuesday when they suffered a single goal defeat to Coleford Athletic.
In Division One, Peasedown Albion Reserves suffered a 5-0 defeat at Chew Magna Reserves.
■ CHIP & BATH LEAGUE Kingsmead lifted the Somerset Challenge Cup last Thursday after beating PF Loco on penalties. The sides played out a goalless draw, before Kingsmead won 4-1 on spot-kicks to win the title at Bishop Sutton.
Back in the league on Sunday, Kingsmead had been awarded a home walkover by University of Bath in Division One. Bath also awarded Scoop a home walkover in the group stage of the Senior Subsidiary Cup last Thursday.
Ben Lee struck twice for Olympic Victoria in their 3-3 draw at Semington in Division Two. Substitute Simon Wikeley weighed in with the other Victoria goal.
■ WOMEN’S COMPETITIONS
Keynsham Town were narrowly edged out 2-1 at Maidenhead United in Division One South West of the FA Women’s National League.
First half goals from Lillian Briddon and Rebecca Sullivan saw Bitton to a 2-0 win over Gloucester City in the Northern Division of the South West Regional League. Briddon struck the opener in the 25th minute, before Sullivan added th second five minutes before halftime.
Wiltshire League leaders Corsham Town were awarded an away walkover by FC Chippenham. Bath City Athena suffered a 9-1 thrashing at the hands of Highworth Town.