Larkhall Devs top of Wiltshire League after home win over Bassett

Larkhall Athletic Development moved to the top of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior Football League Premier Division on Saturday 30th August.

Larkhall Athletic’s first team will be in action here at Tavistock | Photo © Richard Briggs

The Larks took over in pole position by beating Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development 2-1 at the Camella Stadium.

Athletic dominated the first period and opened the scoring on the half-hour. Ben Wickens motored past a defender on the left wing and set up Arlo Stone for a tap-in.

Bassett upped their game in the second half but Larkhall extended their advantage with 15 minutes remaining.

Stone and Wickens combined to present Farley McDowell with a chance – and he buried the ball from eight yards.

Matt Capel slammed the loose ball against a post for Town after home keeper Kit Bond parried a long-range effort.

But the visitors did get onto the scoresheet in injury-time, George Knight beating Bond with a 30-yarder.

The game was due to be played at Wootton Bassett but was reversed due to the Town first team being handed a 30th August home tie with Torpoint Athletic in the Emirates FA Cup. The Torpoint match took priority.

The Larks’ success left them ahead of second-placed Melksham Town Reserves on goal-difference, previous table-toppers Faringdon Town slipping into third spot after a 2-2 draw at Down Ampney.

And Larkhall’s next league game is a big one – at home to Faringdon on Saturday 6th September (3pm).

Athletic will also play at the Camella Stadium on Wednesday 10th September, when they entertain Park United (7.45pm).

Larkhall’s first team had no match on Saturday 30th August but will be back in action on Saturday 6th September when they visit Pitching In Southern League Division One South rivals Tavistock in the Isuzu FA Trophy first qualifying round (3pm).

The sides also met at Langsford Park at the same stage of the Trophy last season, the Lambs winning 3-2.

By a quirk of the fixture list, Tavistock will be the visitors to the Camella Stadium for a league match on Saturday 13th September.