Larkhall Athletic were frustrated in their bid to return to winning ways in the Pitching In Southern League on Saturday 7th February.
Larkhall Athletic Development face a huge match here at Shrewton United on Saturday 14th February, while the club’s 1st XI host Sporting Club Inkberrow | Photo © Richard Briggs
The Larks were due to visit struggling Mid Devon villagers Willand Rovers for a Division One South match.
But the game was postponed on Friday 6th February because of a waterlogged pitch.
After a great run of five successive victories under boss John Durbin, Athletic were set to go to Willand in search of their first success in three outings, having lost 5-0 at Hartpury on Saturday 24th January and drawn 1-1 at home to Didcot Town a week later.
Larkhall will be back at the Camella Stadium on Saturday 14th February when league newcomers Sporting Club Inkberrow provide the opposition (3pm).
The Larks were 2-1 winners at the Worcestershire outfit in October.
On Wednesday 18th February, Athletic will go to bottom club Tavistock (7.45pm).
Although the Plain Ham seniors were out of action on Saturday 7th February, Larkhall Development did play – and they took their goal-tally to 16 in three matches by thumping Purton Kingstown 4-1 at the Camella Stadium.
The result consolidated the Devs’ Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division title push, being their third straight big win since losing 2-0 at fellow championship hopefuls Swindon Supermarine Development on Saturday 17th January.
Victory over Purton enabled the Larks to pull six points clear of Supermarine – who have three games in hand – and close the gap on table-topping Shrewton United to four points. However, Larkhall have played two matches more than the Shrews.
Harvey Pritchard forced a good save from the Purton keeper before Athletic took a 22nd-minute lead. James Horrocks was the scorer, tapping home after more good work by Pritchard.
Five minutes later, Angus Williamson pounced on the loose ball after a free-kick was blocked, netting his 11th goal of the campaign.
It was 3-0 five minutes before the interval, Jack Goodall firing in a 20-yard free-kick.
Purton battled well in the second period but Larkhall completed their haul in the 70th minute, Ben Wickens setting up substitute James Okell to tap home.
Ollie While bagged a consolation for Purton in the closing stages.
Larkhall described the fixture as a good game with a few tasty challenges.
The Larks face a crunch match on Saturday 14th February – away to Shrewton (2pm).
When the teams met at the Camella Stadium in August, the result was 1-1.
