Dawid Regula hit a hit-trick as Larkhall Athletic recorded a hugely impressive comeback win at Frome Town on Wednesday 29th October.
Dawid Regula’s treble saw Larkhall Athletic shock Frome Town here at Badgers Hill in a Pitching In Southern League derby on Wednesday 29th October | Photo © Richard Briggs
The Larks recovered from an interval deficit to triumph 3-1 at Badgers Hill in the Pitching In Southern League Division One South derby, the Robins’ defeat denying them top spot in the table.
In front of a crowd of 514, Frome opened the scoring after 22 minutes. Charlie Bullock crossed and Zac Drew shot past Larkhall keeper Liam Armstrong from six yards.
Armstrong made a smart save 15 minutes later, taking Harris Feltham’s 20-yarder.
However, the guests were back on terms 10 minutes into the second period – from their first major opening of the evening. Regula was the marksman, tapping in from close range.
And two minutes later, the Larks were ahead. Regula stole possession and lobbed Town’s onrushing gloveman Kyle Phillips.
Regula completed his treble in the 73rd minute when he popped home the loose ball after Phillips parried an effort from Will Banks.
Frome’s best chances of scoring after this came when Armstrong denied an 80th-minute effort from George Dowling and David Duru’s 87th-minute angled drive went narrowly over the bar.
Larkhall starting XI: Liam Armstrong, Jeff Forkuo, Jack Goodall, Sam Boulton, Ewan McMillan, Will Banks, Max Williams, Alex Camm, Dawid Regula, Eben Mortimer-Taylor, Jack Camm.
Athletic’s success lifted them into eighth place in the table, five points adrift of the play-off zone, although the Bath side have played more matches than all of the teams above them except Exmouth Town.
The Larks went down 2-1 at Exmouth in the league on Saturday 25th October.
Matthew Wright scored twice for the hosts, heading in after 68 and 80 minutes to put the game beyond Larkhall, who responded with a penalty from Regula deep in injury-time.
Larkhall starting XI: Liam Armstrong, Jeff Forkuo, Spencer Dymond-Hall, Sam Boulton, Asa White, Ryan Beckinsale, Max Williams, Eben Mortimer-Taylor, James Horrocks, Alex Camm, Dawid Regula.
Athletic will be back at the Camella Stadium on Saturday 1st November, when they host Swindon Supermarine in the league (3pm).
Larkhall Development netted three times in the second half as they cruised to a 4-1 home victory over Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division on Saturday 25th October.
James Okell struck on the half-hour to hand the Larks a 1-0 interval lead at the Camella Stadium.
But by the time the teams changed ends, Salisbury club Bemerton were down to 10 men, courtesy of James McSorley’s 42nd-minute dismissal.
Okell scored again on the hour, Harvey Kendrick made it 3-0 seven minutes later and James Payton completed the hosts’ tally with a 77th-minute goal.
Harry Cooper pulled one back for the Harlequins with six minutes remaining.
The young Larks will continue their push for the league title when they visit Pewsey Vale on Saturday 1st November (2pm).
