Match Preview – Larkhall Athletic vs Wimborne Town
A day-time visit to Larkhall’s Plain Ham ground, a mile to the north of Bath city centre, is a highlight in the calendar for many non-league aficionados. The ground is considered to be one of the most scenic in the country, with a view of Solsbury Hill (made famous by Peter Gabriel’s 1977 song) in the distance. The officials and supporters of the Larks are among the most friendly and hospitable we meet. The team coach can’t get close to the ground, so the last half mile of the journey is a walk up a narrow, winding, steep hill. Fortunately our friends at Larkhall provide a mini-bus to carry any kit and less active coach passengers up to the ground.
Ollie Price’s team impressed in the reverse fixture at New Cuthbury at the end of November – second-half headers by Jack Lovell and Sam Jackson bagging the points for the Magpies in a 2-1 win. In my report I wrote: “Larkhall are one of the best footballing sides we’ve seen this season, and deserve to be in the play-off mix.” Perhaps I shouldn’t have said that, because since then the Larks haven’t won in six games, including Tuesday’s 1-4 loss at Yate – 1-1 draws at Mousehole and Westbury are all they have to show as they lie bottom of the current form table, although five of those six games have been on their travels. In fact, and probably due to the topography of the ground where water runs down the sloping adjacent field onto the pitch, they’ve only played at home once in the last seven weeks, which was a 1-3 loss to Manor Farm on 23rd December. Prior to that they had a good run, winning three on the trot at Plain Ham against Melksham (1-0), Exmouth (5-0) and Paulton (4-0). The tall, speedy Dawid Regula bagged a hat-trick in the last of those, netted against us, and has scored both Larkhall’s goals in their most recent three games. All of which leaves the Larks sitting 13th in the league table, ten points adrift of a play-off spot, with a W5 D5 L8 GF 29 GA 30 record. At home it’s W4 D0 L3.
After that excellent 4-1 win on a heavy pitch at Exmouth on Saturday, Wimborne remain top of the tree with a W12 D4 L3 GF 42 GA 21 record. They’re the division’s leading scorers, and have the joint second-best defensive record. On their travels it’s W3 D3 L3. The Magpies sit second in the current form table W5 D1 L0, behind the 100% record of Bideford. All fourteen players used at Exmouth looked in good form as Tim’s team stretched their unbeaten run to six games with seven different scorers in the last two (Sam Jackson, Billy Walker, Ben Scorey, Sam Griffin, Jack Lovell, Harry Morgan, and Lewis Beale).
With the recent departures of Jamie Johnston and Ben Satterley, Sam Roberts side-lined by injury, and Dan Bartlett out long-term, manager Tim Sills will be hoping Connor Cocklin will soon have recovered. Jack Hoey has been playing with Christer’s Reserves and must be near a much-awaited return.
Larkhall gained promotion to Southern League Div One South & West for the 2014-15 season, and made an immediate impact. While we were pleased to finish 13th that season, The Larks bagged the final play-off place, going on to lose 3-2 to Stratford in the play-off final. The Magpies and Larks were together in that division for four seasons – we won five times, of which three were at Plain Ham. Now back together in Division One after our relegation from Southern Premier, the Magpies did the double over the Larks last season – 2-0 at home, 3-1 away, with that 2-1 win a couple of months ago making it three out of three. But remember that Larkhall have knocked us out of the FA Trophy each time the clubs have been drawn together.
Back to Saturday’s fixture …. Wimborne will want to keep winning to keep the pressure on the chasing pack; Larkhall will want to win to give themselves a chance of joining that pack. So the scene is set for another competitive game – I’ve sharpened my match reporting pencil in readiness. Come on you Maggies!
Stadium info
Average attendance: 166
Tickets
Admission: full £10; concessions £7; accompanied U16s free
Travel by car
It’s a 1hr 30 minute – approx 56 miles – drive to:
Plain Ham
Charlcombe Lane
Bath
Somerset
BA1 8DJ
Travel by coach
There are places available on the team coach – contact Paula if you’re interested.
Weather
Weather forecast: cloudy, 3oC; 10% chance of rain – it’s layers and long johns for me – or is that too much information! Wrap up warm.
