Larkhall Athletic will go into their final match of the Pitching In Southern League season on an unwanted run of back-to-back defeats.
Larkhall Athletic battled back from 2-0 down to level here at Bashley on Saturday 18th April, only to lose 4-2 | Photo © Richard Briggs
The Larks followed up their 3-1 setback at Willand Rovers on Wednesday 15th April by losing 4-2 at Bashley on Saturday 18th April to leave them in ninth place in Division One South but with a chance of finishing eighth.
However, the men from the Camella Stadium have had an excellent campaign, considering they only just avoided relegation a year ago.
New Forest villagers Bashley were 2-0 up at the Veho Community Stadium before Athletic got onto the scoresheet.
Ieuan Turner handed the Hampshire outfit the lead after eight minutes, heading in from a corner.
Larkhall keeper Liam Armstrong produced a fine save to deny Luke Holmes but could not stop the Bash extending their advantage in the 33rd minute, Scott Bungay evading the travelling defence and firing home.
However, the visitors pulled one back a minute later when Alex Camm drilled in a penalty.
And Jeff Furkuo stunned home fans in the crowd of 232 by equalising with his first goal for the Larks.
It was almost 3-2 to the guests shortly afterwards, Bashley custodian Oscar Glover producing a great save.
The guests had several good chances early in the second half but failed to put them away.
And the hosts rode their luck to edge back in front with 16 minutes to go, Finley Toghill shooting past Armstrong following an assist by Hayden Wells.
Bashley struck again right at the end, substitute Joe Freak the marksman.
Larkhall starting XI: Liam Armstrong, Lewis Graham, Jeff Forkuo, Sam Boulton, Ewan McMillan, Will Banks, Alex Camm, Sam Tisdale, Harvey Pritchard, Milo Murgatroyd, Freddie King.
An injury-time goal from Milo Murgatroyd was the Larks’ only reward from their trip to Mid Devon to take on Willand.
A crowd of 194 at the Stan Robinson Stadium saw Harvey Dorothy open the scoring for Rovers in the 19th minute.
Bailey Kempster made it 2-0 with a penalty shortly before the break – and Dorothy effectively killed the game as a contest by scoring again four minutes into the second period.
Larkhall starting XI: Liam Armstrong, Jeff Forkuo, Iestyn Rhys Williams, Sam Boulton, Lewis Graham, Will Banks, Alex Camm, Jack Camm, Dawid Regula, Harvey Pritchard, Freddie King.
Athletic’s final league fixture will be against Mousehole at the Camella Stadium on Saturday 25th April (3pm).
Larkhall Development face an all-or-nothing clash at Shrewton United in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division on 25th April (3pm).
A victory – but only a victory – at the Recreation Ground will give the second-placed Larks the championship and guarantee promotion to Step 6.
The game will be the last of the league campaign for both sides.
Shrewton – who have failed the ground-grading requirements for elevation – hold a two-point lead at the top of the table.
The Devs set up the final-day decider by overcoming Pewsey Vale 2-0 at the Camella Stadium on 18th April, James Horrocks scoring both goals.
Arlo Stone, James Okell, Angus Williamson and Ben Riccio all went close before Horrocks broke the deadlock on the half-hour when he headed in following a corner.
Pewsey started the second half well but were rocked when Larkhall netted again in the 55th minute, Horrocks on target after good work by Ben Wickens.
After that, there was little goalmouth action as the home side were happy to see out the game.
The Larks have another massive match on the horizon too – the Wiltshire League’s Fountain Trophies Senior Cup final.
Athletic will play Melksham Town Reserves – who beat their Calne Town counterparts on penalties in the semis – in the showpiece at Devizes Town’s ground on Saturday 9th May (3pm).
