Larks fall at Willand, Devs pegged back, new A team win opener

Larkhall Athletic were unable to make it two successive victories in Pitching In Southern League Division One South when they visited Mid Devon outfit Willand Rovers on Saturday 5th September.

Larkhall Athletic were beaten 4-1 here at Willand Rovers on Saturday 5th September in Pitching In Southern League Division One South | Photo © Richard Briggs

After losing their first two league games of the season, the Larks saw off Westbury United at the Camella Stadium on Monday 31st August to open their points account.

However, they came down to earth with a bump when they travelled to the Stan Robinson Stadium, Silver Street, to take on Willand, the home side cruising to a 4-1 success.

Charlie Bateson gave Rovers – who are based near Cullompton – the lead when he lobbed Larkhall keeper Liam Armstrong in the 10th minute.

And Willand netted again in the 26th minute, Zack Williams firing into the bottom-right corner of the net.

However, Athletic reduced the deficit when substitute Josh Morgan rifled home in the 62nd minute.

A penalty from Bailey Kempster in the 80th minute restored Rovers’ two-goal advantage.

And the lead was extended deep in injury-time when substitute Ben Maciver-Redwood struck.

The attendance was 219.

Larkhall: Liam Armstrong, Jack Goodall (Jeff Barimah, 46), Seb Scott, Jack Camm, Charlie Sidhu (Milo Murgatroyd, 70), Will Banks, Jeff Forkuo, Ryan Beckinsale (Josh Morgan, 50), Jensen Wakefield (Ben Cleary, 46), Stan Wyatt (Harry Morgan Martinez, 56).

Athletic will make a swift return to Mid Devon as they play at Tiverton Town on Saturday 12th September in the FA Trophy second qualifying round (3pm).

Hungerford Town will come to the Camella Stadium on Wednesday 16th September for a league match (7.45pm).

Tickets for the clash with the Berkshire team are available here.

The Larks’ Development side were held to a 3-3 draw by Bishops Cannings at Green Lane Playing Fields in a dramatic Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division game on 5th September.

The travellers’ goal hero in Devizes was Ben Wickens, who bagged a hat-trick.

A depleted Larkhall side led 3-2 at the break and kept that advantage going into injury-time, when Liam Moffat scored Bishops Cannings’ last-gasp equaliser.

Moffat and Tom Sharples were on target for the hosts in the first half.

The unbeaten Devs will resume league action on Saturday 19th September, when they receive Shrewton United.

The new Larkhall A team opened their campaign in The Waterhouse Financial Advisers Mid Somerset League Division Two by beating Farrington Gurney 1-0 at the Camella Stadium on 5th September.

The first-half decider came from Harry Banks.

Larkhall A’s next game will be a league clash with visiting Frome Town United Development on 12th September.