Pulsating derby clash brings Larks opening Southern League win

It took a while coming but Larkhall Athletic have chalked up their first victory of the Pitching In Southern League Division One South season.

Larkhall, blue, force Melksham to defend in numbers at the Camella Stadium | Photo © Nigel Battrick

In front of a sun-drenched crowd of 320 at the Camella Stadium on August Bank Holiday Monday (25th August), the Larks emerged 3-2 winners of a pulsating derby to zoom out of the relegation zone and into mid-table.

Athletic were beaten in their three previous league matches – by heavyweights Bishops Cleeve and Malvern Town and, most recently, promoted Brixham – so there were some nerves among home fans before kick-off.

Melksham, playing down the slope in the first half, made the early running.

Home keeper Liam Armstrong parried a 25-yarder from Will Christopher after seven minutes.

And shortly afterwards, Devanti McInerney set up Jamal Lawrence, who drove wide under pressure from Larkhall captain Sam Boulton.

The Larks, blue, put Melksham keeper Adam Forster under pressure during the Southern League derby | Photo © Nigel Battrick

With 15 minutes gone, McInerney held off the hosts’ Will Banks and sent a 14-yard angled drive narrowly wide.

The Larks’ first good chance came two minutes later. Ryan Beckinsale fed Dawid Regula but Melksham skipper Mark Cooper cleared at the centre-forward’s feet.

However, Larkhall broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, Boulton shooting in from six yards. The goal was the first that the visitors had conceded in the league this term.

Boosted by the goal, the Larks almost added to their tally four minutes later, Max Williams lashing narrowly over the bar from 25 yards.

Melksham’s former Larkhall man Aysa Corrick headed wide from eight yards following a corner in the 28th minute. But Asa White could have made it 2-0 shortly afterwards, only to send his 18-yarder at guests’ custodian Adam Forster.

Then two goals in three minutes turned the game on its head.

Action from the Camella Stadium as Larkhall Athletic, blue, take on neighbours Melksham Town | Photo © Nigel Battrick

After 38 minutes, McInerney fed Ralph Graham, and the former Swindon Town professional buried the ball from five yards to level matters.

And Graham pounced again, netting from 15 yards after a bad clearance fell to him in the 41st minute.

With Larkhall shellshocked, the travellers almost made it 3-1 in first-half injury-time. The dangerous McInerney held off three defenders and worked his way into the box, but his effort was parried by Armstrong.

And the interval failed to disrupt Melksham’s rhythm – as four minutes into the second period, Graham forced a flying save from Armstrong.

The Larks thought they had a way back into the game in the 53rd minute. They appealed for a penalty after what they thought was handball in the box, but referee Paul Collier ruled that it was case of ball to ribcage. Regula took his protests too far and was booked.

Armstrong dived to take a 61st-minute free-kick from Christopher. And five minutes later, the gloveman beat away a 17-yard shot from Archie Milne.

But Larkhall weathered the storm and got back into the match.

A 30-yard rocket from Beckinsale whizzed just over the bar in the 70th minute. And three minutes later, the hosts equalised. Substitute Alex Camm squared for Harvey Flippance to fire in from 12 yards.

Soon it was time for Melksham to be shellshocked. In the 78th minute, with Camm again the provider, Beckinsale struck from an angle six yards out to put Athletic back in front.

Eben Mortimer-Taylor almost extended the advantage in injury-time, Forster pushing behind his low, angled 20-yarder.

But there was late drama at the other end, Melksham’s Josh Bennett blazing over from six yards.

However, the Larks could not be denied a crucial success.

Larkhall starting XI: Armstrong, Banks, Goodall, Boulton, White, Beckinsale, Williams, Mortimer-Taylor, Flippance, Regula, J Camm.

Athletic had slipped to penultimate place in the table on Saturday 23rd August when they lost a 2-1 lead at Brixham and went down 3-2.

It was 0-0 at the break but the Fishermen moved ahead early in the second half through Charlie Johansen, who netted via a deflection.

White restored parity and Regula put Athletic in front from the spot after a penalty was awarded for handball, only for Brixham to equalise through Aaron Wellington’s free-kick.

An 83rd-minute penalty from Johansen handed the Devonians their first win of the league campaign.

The Larks’ reverse was a tough one for them to take because they hit the bar twice and had an effort cleared off the line.

Larkhall starting XI: Armstrong, Banks, Goodall, Boulton, White, Sage, Williams, Mortimer-Taylor, Flippance, Regula, J Camm.

The Larks are now without a match until Saturday 6th September, when they will visit Tavistock in the Isuzu FA Trophy first qualifying round (3pm).