Larkhall Athletic crashed out of the Isuzu FA Trophy in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday 6th September, losing on sudden-death penalties at Tavistock in the first qualifying round.
Larkhall Athletic crashed out of the Isuzu FA Trophy here at Tavistock for the second season running when they were beaten on Saturday 6th September | Photo © Richard Briggs
The result gave the Larks an unwelcome sense of déjà vu, because the Lambs beat them on the same ground at the same stage of the competition last season.
On Saturday 7th September 2024, the Langsford Park side were 3-2 victors. And last weekend, Tavvy emerged 7-6 winners on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Athletic held the upper hand in the early stages, Dawid Regula and Harvey Flippance being denied by smart saves from home keeper Will Howard.
So it came as no surprise when the travellers opened the scoring.
With 27 minutes gone, skipper Sam Boulton slammed the ball home after he got on the end of a free-kick.
The visitors could have extended their lead, but the Devon team went close right on half-time. Jack Crago found himself in an excellent position but the Larks’ Max Williams made a last-ditch tackle to prevent a shot.
Tavvy began the second period well, and Joel Jackson fired over.
But Athletic almost doubled their lead shortly afterwards, Ryan Beckinsale’s stiff shot being claimed by Howard.
The Lambs came back into the game and Crago slammed the ball off a post in the 79th minute.
Larkhall were now restricted to counter attacks. But they almost put the match beyond Tavistock’s reach in the 84th minute, Flippance lobbing Howard but seeing the ball go over the bar.
With just a minute remaining, Tavvy equalised. Kieran Edworthy – son of former Premiership star Marc Edworthy – crossed and his fellow substitute Rhys Lindsell tapped the ball past the guests’ keeper Liam Armstrong.
And the hosts could have snatched the lead in injury-time, only for Edworthy to drive wide.
First blood in the penalty shootout went to the Lambs, Edworthy on target. Alex Camm banged in the Larks’ opening spot-kick.
Crago made it 2-1 but Regula tied things up again. Jacob Bowker put Tavistock ahead once more and Flippance made it 3-3.
Ethan Wright restored Tavvy’s advantage before the first miss of the shootout, Williams’ effort cannoning off the bar.
However, the Devonians then suffered their first miss as Benjamin Cross fired over.
Matt Bowman had to score to keep the Larks in the match – and he converted his penalty to see the sides level at 4-4 after the regulation five kicks each.
So the shootout entered sudden death. Charlie Madden shot Tavvy back into the lead and Sam Tisdale equalised.
Then Lindsell netted and Dylan Tate tied it up at 6-6.
Oliver Northam lashed home to put the Lambs back in command. But Asa White blasted the ball over the bar to see the visitors bow out of the competition, the defeat earning them £400 from The Football Association’s prize fund.
Larkhall starting XI: Armstrong, Williams, Gooddall, Boulton, White, Beckinsale, A Camm, Murgatroyd, Flippance, Regula, J Camm.
Tavistock’s win over Larkhall earned them £1,500 of prize money and a trip to Hampshire outfit AFC Portchester – from the Pitching In Isthmian League South Central Division – in the second qualifying round on Saturday 20th September.
The Larks have an opportunity for swift revenge over the Devonians as the sides will meet again on Saturday 13th September. This time the venue is the Camella Stadium and the competition is Pitching In Southern League Division One South (3pm).
