Larkhall Athletic overpowered basement side Tavistock in the Pitching In Southern League, giving them a superb haul of four points out of a possible six from two very long round trips over the past few days.
Larkhall Athletic will face derby action here at the Camella Stadium on Good Friday, 3rd April, when they host Portishead Town in the Pitching In Southern League | Photo © Richard Briggs
The Larks prevailed 4-0 in West Devon on Tuesday 31st March to follow up a stalemate at southwest Cornwall club Falmouth Town three days earlier. They covered almost 700 miles in the process.
The result at Tavistock means the Plain Ham crew have won 17 of their 36 matches in Division One South this term and hold ninth position in the table.
Dawid Regu?a’s shot put the Larks ahead in the fifth minute at Langsford Park.
And, in front of 91 spectators, the former Hungerford Town player doubled the advantage in the 12th minute. The Lambs’ Rhys Lindsell gave away possession and Harvey Pritchard made ground before crossing to Regula, who knocked in the rebound after his initial shot was blocked.
The score became 3-0 in the 43rd minute, Pritchard steering the ball past Tavistock gloveman Thomas Burstow.
And Jeff Forkuo came close to adding a fourth Larkhall goal, his close-range effort coming off Burstow in the 63rd minute.
The Larks suffered a blow 20 minutes from the end, when Spencer Dymond-Hall was sent off following a challenge on Jack Crago.
But John Durbin’s team netted again in the 79th minute. Freddie King sent over a corner and the ball went through Burstow’s grasp and into the net.
Larkhall starting XI: Liam Armstrong, Jack Goodall, Spencer Dymond Hall, Sam Boulton, Ewan McMillan, Will Banks, Milo Murgatroyd, Jeff Forkuo, Dawid Regula, Harvey Pritchard, Alex Camm.
Larkhall drew 1-1 at Falmouth on Saturday 28th March, both goals coming in a three-minute spell during the first half.
The Duchy side opened the scoring in the 26th minute at Bickland Park, Oscar Massey on target.
But, watched by a crowd of 352, King restored parity with a superb strike in the 29th minute.
Larkhall starting XI: Liam Armstrong, Jack Goodall, Spencer Dymond Hall, Sam Boulton, Lewis Graham, Will Banks, Milo Murgatroyd, Jack Camm, Dawid Regula, Harvey Pritchard, Freddie King.
Athletic will play two league derbies over the Easter weekend.
On Good Friday, 3rd April, they will entertain Portishead Town at the Camella Stadium (3pm).
And on Easter Monday, 6th April, the Larks will visit Bristol Manor Farm (3pm).
Larkhall Development have been given a walkover into the final of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League’s Fountain Trophies Senior Cup after their scheduled last-four opponents on 28th March, Swindon Supermarine Development, were removed from the competition.
The semi-final at the Camella Stadium was called off because Supermarine could not raise a side.
A statement from the Larks on Sunday 29th March said: “Following the cancellation of the semi-final yesterday, the league held an emergency meeting last night which has resulted in Swindon Supermarine Development being removed from the competition.
“We have been awarded the tie. Our third final in four years. All subject to any appeal.”
A statement from the league said: “The league had hoped to stage a semi-final game in the Fountain Trophies League Cup on what is the biggest day in the non league calendar, Non League Day, with a tasty-looking tie between two teams batting for honours at the top of the Premier Division table, Swindon Supermarine Development and Larkhall Athletic Development.
“Unfortunately, Swindon Supermarine Development were unable to raise a side, denying Larkhall the opportunity of a big gate on this special Saturday.
“Following previous precedence in all league-cup competitions, the league discipline committee have subsequently awarded the tie to Larkhall.”
The final will see Athletic up against Melksham Town Reserves or Calne Town Reserves, who meet in the semis on Wednesday 8th April.
Larkhall Development will visit Melksham in the Premier Division on Saturday 4th April (3pm).
