Clinical finishing does the job for the Larks

Match report courtesy of Henry Burridge/Bath Chronicle

Clinical Larkhall Athletic made their chances count as high-flying Mangotsfield United were brushed aside. Jamie Lyons opened the scoring in the first half, but the home side had to wait until the second period for James Stinson and Josh Egan to make the game secure with two quickfire goals. The real star of the show was Joe Tumelty, who got the assist on all three strikes. It proved a dream start to life in the league for new boss Geraint Bater, up against an in-form Mangos outfit second in the table.

Tumelty spooned the first chance of the game over the top and into the petanque terrain behind the pitch, but Mangotsfield were in charge for the majority of the opening 20 minutes. Strike pairing Ryan Bath and Lewis Powell saw plenty of ball and had a handful of chances that were either off target or kept out by Larks stopper Ben John. Powell had the ball in the net himself after a quick free-kick caught the hosts off-guard, only for the offside flag to rise.

Slowly Larkhall began to get a foothold on proceedings and came close when Joe Raynes skipped forward and scythed an effort just wide of the far post. John had to instinctively punch away an effort from Kerry Morgan - who would be forced off with injury later in the half - before the Larks went in front. The goal came from good work in midfield as Tumelty fed Lyons to thump into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.

That was the height of a strong Larks spell, which also saw Tumelty bundle his way in behind and force a corner with a low, deflected effort. There was another opportunity for Powell to try his luck with a shot that was ultimately blocked, while Brad Abraham chipped a first-time shot into John's breadbasket when well placed.

Within a minute of the restart, the glovesman was in action again to keep out Liam Monelle at his near post. Chances were limited for either side, with Bath forcing John to smother a long-range dig the best offered for a long period. There was a more testing save when Groves jagged in from the left and sent John sprawling, the rebound smuggled behind as Monelle lurked for a tap-in.

And right back at the other end the lead was doubled when a diagonal Lyons ball set Tumelty clear in behind, where he selflessly squared for debutant Stinson to knock into the unguarded net. Mangotsfield set about reducing the deficit without ever looking dangerous and Larkhall eventually snatched a third. The goal was owed to the work of Tumelty, who darted past two defenders to the byline and cut back for Egan to smash in emphatically.