Larkhall Athletic....2 Mangotsfield United...1

Saturday 25th January 2020, The BetVictor Southern League – Division One South Att. 193

Larkhall Athletic FC….2 Mangotsfield United….1

Match Report Ron Loftus

Photo: Chris Brakenrigg

The usually picturesque Plain Ham ground of our hosts Larkhall was today surrounded by hills covered by thick, low-lying cloud which set the tone for what turned out to be a tough, toe-to-toe contest on a heavy playing surface.

The promotion-chasing Larks - featuring several former Mangotsfield players and indeed Management - were quickest out of the blocks and pushed us back from the kick-off. With an experienced line-up the home side won a corner on the right after 12mins. and a lapse of concentration allowed Lewis Powell a free header from 10 yards out to put our hosts ahead.

Thereafter the game evened out somewhat but we struggled to make much of an impression on a well-organised home rearguard . Our best chance arrived just as the half was drawing to a close as a long ball forward was flicked on by Jordan Rogers into the path of Dan Demkiv but he was unable to finish past an advancing Shaun Semmens to ensure the Larks retained their advantage at the interval.

HT: 0 - 1

The second period carried on in much the same vein but on 62mins. the dangerous Alex Lambert evaded two challenges on the right before his cross into the box caused confusion in the centre of the 'Field's defence and eventually Toby Rennie's misplaced header went past Marko Radovanovic to give our hosts a rather fortuitous two goal advantage.

A feature of recent performances has been the ability to maintain the desire to get back into games and within three minutes Mangotsfield reduced the arrears when a break down the right saw the ball pulled back to James Ollis 22yards out and his well-placed strike into the top left-hand corner gave Semmens no chance. From here on in the 'Field certainly enjoyed the greater possession but were unable to fashion an equaliser.

We have, on a more positive note, competed well against a side near the top of the table proving the spirit and character within this group of players should serve us well in the tough games to come. We move on !

FT: Larkhall Athletic….2 Mangotsfield United….1

LARKHALL ATHLETIC FC : (All Blue) (Manager: Phil Bater )
G/K. Shaun Semmens, 2. Jaiden Savery, 3. Daniel Restorick (Jack Dancey 4), 4. Jack Camm, 5. Michael Baker ©, 6. Tom Warren, 7. Joseph Tumelty, 8. Dale Evans, 9. Alex Lambert (Charlie Wiles-Richards 90), 10. Lewi s Powell, 11. Thomas Hillman (Geraint Bater 75).
Unused subs. Waye Nderemani, Neil Arndale
Bookings: Michel Baker (50)
Red Cards: none
Goals: Lewis Powell (12), Toby Rennie (62 -og)

MANGOTSFIELD UNITED: (Sky & Maroon) (Manager: Ollie Price )
G/K. Marko Radovanovic 2. Josh Bennett, 3. James Byrne, 4. Tom Llewellyn ©, 5. Luc Noble, 6. Toby Rennie, 7. James Ollis, 8. Joseph Hall (Harry Simons 80) , 9. Dan Demkiv , 10. Jake Thomas (Ben Brooks 62) , 11. Jordan Rogers.
Unused subs. Ioan Evans, Camden Duncan, Jakob Glover (G/K)
Bookings: Luc Noble (60), Tom Llewellyn (82), Ben Brooks (88)
Red Cards: None
Goals: James Ollis (65)

Referee: Christopher Hastings, (Colchester, Essex)
Assistants: Callum Waller (Southampton, Hants) Graham Pearce (Melksham, Wilts)

The next game at the KPI Ltd Stadium will be the visit of ‘The Robins’ of EVESHAM UNITED on Saturday 1st February 2020. Kick-off 3pm