There seems to be no stopping Larkhall Athletic at the moment.
David Regula, red boots, shows incredible composure after burying an injury-time penalty to hand Larkhall Athletic victory over Exmouth Town on Saturday 17th January | Photo © jeremyrichardsphotography.com
The Larks won for the fifth game running in Pitching In Southern League Division One South when they saw off Exmouth Town 3-2 at the Camella Stadium on Saturday 17th January.
That run of success has coincided with John Durbin taking charge of the team – initially as interim boss and, since Friday 9th January, as the club’s permanent manager.
Although, realistically, promotion seems to be out of Larkhall’s reach this season – they are 12 points adrift of the play-off places and the two teams directly in front of them, Bishops Cleeve and Shaftesbury, have a match in hand on them – their current seventh spot in the table represents a fantastic achievement for the resurgent Bath outfit until Durbin.
Larkhall Athletic celebrate Dawid Regula’s last-gasp winner against Exmouth Town in the Pitching In Southern League | Photo © jeremyrichardsphotography.com
Before Durbin took the reins prior to the 3-0 win at Bideford on Saturday 20th December, Athletic had picked up only five points from the previous 21 available under the management of Ollie Price.
Watched by a crowd of 201, Lewis Graham gave the Larks an 11th-minute lead against Exmouth, only for their visitors to then twice hit the goal-frame – through Ethan Slater and Mike Landricombe.
The Larks made the most of the let-offs and doubled their advantage through Spencer Dymond-Hall in the 35th minute.
However, Exmouth pulled one back right on half-time when Ben Griffin beat home keeper Liam Armstrong from the spot.
And the seasiders levelled the match when Aaron Denny netted eight minutes into the second period.
Lewis Graham, number 2, wheels away as the ball nestles in the back of the net, his goal handing Larkhall Athletic the lead against Exmouth Town | Photo © jeremyrichardsphotography.com
The sides seemed to be heading for a point apiece. But three minutes into injury-time, Athletic were awarded a penalty and Dawid Regula made no mistake from 12 yards to ensure their 13th win from 26 league matches this season.
Larkhall starting XI: Liam Armstrong, Lewis Graham, Spencer Dymond-Hall, Ewan McMillan, Will Banks, Henry Westlake, Alex Camm, Jack Camm, Dawid Regula, Ryan Beckinsale, Milo Murgatroyd.
The Larks will make the trip to Gloucestershire on Saturday 24th January for a league game at Hartpury (3pm).
The university side are two places below Durbin’s men in the table, having secured promotion from the uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division last year. It was their second successive elevation.
Larkhall Development were beaten 2-0 at their Swindon Supermarine counterparts on Saturday 17th January in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division top-of-the-table tussle.
Supermarine’s success saw them replace the Larks in second spot, the Plain Ham outfit slipping into third position ahead of a home game against Down Ampney on Saturday 24th January (3pm).
Swindon took the lead after only two minutes in what was a largely even contest, Evan Black lashing home from six yards.
Ben Riccio fired narrowly wide as the Larks battled for an equaliser before the break.
In the second half, a header from the hosts’ Tom Phillips was almost turned into his own net by a Larkhall man – and Supermarine started to get on top.
They sealed the points when a Phillips effort was parried by Athletic’s keeper Kit Bond and Cheldon Valere headed in the loose ball.
The Larks brought on Arlo Stone and they began to create more chances. But they were unable to find the net.
Athletic said that the match was tight but their main concern was over an injury to substitute Mason Nolan-Kemp in stoppage time.
