Larkhall Athletic were on the wrong end of a giant-killing in the Emirates FA Cup.
Melksham Town, who are based here at the Meads of Melksham Community Football Stadium, will be the next visitors to Larkhall Athletic – on Monday 25th August | Photo © Richard Briggs
The Larks, from Pitching In Southern League Division One South, were beaten 2-0 at Step 5 outfit Wokingham Town in the preliminary round.
Berkshire side Wokingham went into the match having won one and lost one of their two Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division North fixtures.
But in front of a crowd of 348 at Lowther Road, the Satsumas scored twice in the final 10 minutes on Sunday 17th August to push Larkhall off the road to Wembley.
The Larks had most of the chances in a first half which saw Wokingham adopt a physical game.
Athletic could have opened the scoring after only six minutes. A good move set up Max Williams, but he failed to connect properly.
Alex Camm then forced a fine save from home keeper Emilio Fantocchio, who later palmed away a corner from Spencer Dymond-Hall.
However, Town went close before the break, Larkhall gloveman Liam Armstrong tipping a free-kick onto the bar and behind.
And the hosts forced another fine save from Armstrong early in the second half. This time he pushed a shot around a post.
Dylan Tate twice headed over for the travellers but the Satsumas broke the deadlock in the 80th minute.
A free-kick in a dangerous area was not defended well by the Larks, and Ed Port headed home.
Guests’ substitute Will Osborne failed to bury a free header as Larkhall looked to level.
But the game was put beyond them when Town’s Sean Moore netted with a shot in a crowded goalmouth with a minute remaining.
Wokingham will entertain Burgess Hill Town, from the Step 3 Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division, in the first qualifying round on Sunday 31st August.
Larkhall starting XI: Armstrong, Goodall, Dymond-Hall, Boulton, White, Mortimer-Taylor, Williams, A Camm, Tate, Beckinsale, Murgatroyd.
Athletic will return to Southern League duty on Saturday 23rd August, when they journey to Torbay to take on newcomers Brixham (3pm).
The Fishermen have experienced a tough start to the league campaign following promotion from the Jewson Western Premier Division, lying second bottom – two places below the Larks – and conceding eight goals across their two matches.
However, Brixham beat Division One South rivals Mousehole 4-3 in the FA Cup on Saturday 16th August – just four days after losing a league game to the Cornish team.
Larkhall will be back at the Camella Stadium – the renamed Plain Ham – on Monday 25th August, for a league derby with Melksham Town (3pm).
