A pair of second-half goals condemned Larkhall Athletic to defeat when they entertained play-off hopefuls Shaftesbury on Saturday 7th March.
Larkhall Athletic on the attack during their 3-1 home defeat by Shaftesbury in Pitching In Southern League Division One South | Photo © Liz Bugg
Both sides have had a remarkable turnaround from last season, when they battled to avoid the drop from Pitching In Southern League Division One South.
But the Dorset side emerged 3-1 victors at the Camella Stadium to enhance their push for a place in Premier South.
And even though the Larks took nothing from the match, they still hold a very creditable ninth position in the table.
Shaftesbury opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Home keeper Liam Armstrong made a fine parried save from Harry Baker but Charlie Rayfield was on hand to bury the loose ball.
This was hard on the Plain Ham side, as they had several good chances to score before the break. Freddie King, Ryan Beckinsale and Dawid Regula all went close.
However, in front of a crowd of 205, Athletic levelled matters in the 31st minute when Harvey Pritchard got the better of the visitors’ defence and fired past keeper Ben Taylor.
Harvey Pritchard, number 10, is hugged by his Larkhall Athletic team-mate Dawid Regula after netting against Shaftesbury | Photo © Liz Bugg
The Rockies went back in front 10 minutes into the second half – but there was a question mark over whether the ball had crossed the line. The referee ruled it had, and Harry Morgan’s curling shot was given as a goal.
Larkhall then felt they had a goal disallowed. A Sam Boulton header was headed away from under the bar by Sonny Pike and the referee deemed the ball had not crossed the line.
But Shaftesbury bagged the clincher in the 79th minute, Toby Holmes on target for his 23rd goal of the season.
Making a rapid return to the city was Louis Sweeten. He played the full game for the Rockies on loan from Bath City and was involved in the build-up to Holmes’ goal.
Larkhall starting XI: Liam Armstrong, Jack Goodall, Spencer Dymond-Hall, Sam Boulton, Lewis Graham, Jack Camm, Milo Murgatroyd, Ryan Beckinsale, Dawid Regula, Harvey Pritchard, Freddie King.
The Larks will face another of the promotion-chasers in their next match – Winchester City at the Charters Community Stadium on Saturday 14th March (3pm).
Larkhall Athletic on the attack during their 3-1 home defeat by Shaftesbury in Pitching In Southern League Division One South | Photo © Liz Bugg
When the sides met at the Camella Stadium in November, the Hampshire outfit were 2-1 winners thanks to an injury-time goal from Conor Lynch.
Larkhall Development cruised to a 4-1 success at Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development on 7th March to keep alive their hopes of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division championship.
However, Bassett went ahead early on when Athletic keeper Kit Bond misjudged a Matt Capel shot.
The Larks responded well, and Matty Morris was thwarted three times by home custodian Adam House, who then saved from James Horrocks.
Bassett hit a post before Larkhall equalised through James Payton, who struck from a James Okell corner in the 40th minute.
And the travellers made a stunning start to the second half, scoring three times in the opening 15 minutes.
A chip from Arlo Stone put them ahead in the 47th minute and then, after good work by Morris, Okell tapped in to make it 3-1.
Okell netted again after being set up by Horrocks, sealing a win that leaves second-placed Larkhall eight points behind table-toppers Shrewton United, both sides having played 26 times.
The Shrews and third-placed Swindon Supermarine Development drew 2-2 on 7th March, meaning Marine are two points behind the Larks but with a match in hand.
Athletic will be in league derby action on 14th March, when they visit Trowbridge Town (3pm) – the second in a run of five successive away games for the Camella Stadium crew.
