Hot on the heels of their recent success as Wiltshire County Cup Champions, Larkhall Athletic U13 Girls football team notched up another impressive win at last weekend’s Chippenham FC tournament. 

In terrible conditions, the girls showed great endurance and team spirit beating Trowbridge Wanderers 1-0 in their semi final and Portishead in the final.

Larkhall went ahead early through a well worked goal, Portishead equalised and the match  went into golden goal extra time and as deadlock ensued a penalty shoot out. Good penalties from Ellie Lyne, Becky Sartin and Freya Howard were matched by Portishead. Sudden death penalties saw a fantastic save tipped over the bar by Emilie Noad give Larkhall the advantage and the pressure was on Romany Lowe who stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner to win the tournament for Larkhall!

Well done girls and many thanks to all those parents and carers who supported the girls in the terrible weather!

Best wishes,

Martin Lyne and Chris Lowe, Coaches Larkhall U13 Girls

 In a fantastic week for Larkhall Athletic Youth, both the U15’s BOYS and the U13’s GIRLS have won their respective Cup Finals against tough opposition.

Under 15 boys

The U15 boys beat Chilcompton Sports in a pulsating final at Bath City Stadium on Wednesday evening.  A Larks corner led to the first goal of the night in the first half when Bradley Norris chipped the ball back into the area after it had been initially cleared.  Ginny Davies rose with a flicked header, and Ally Stone came round the back and chipped the keeper to put Larkhall 1 nil up.  However, Chilcompton, already the league champions this season, levelled in the second half through a controversial free kick, and with both sides deadlocked, the game went into extra time.  The stalemate continued for two extra periods and with both sides suffering cramp and injuries, the game finally went into a tense penalty shoot-out.  Larkhall Athletic keeper Eddie Ilic became the goal keeping hero after saving two penalties to help the Larks win the shoot out 5-4.  Everyone worked really hard throughout a long and tough match and in recognition of the work at both ends of the pitch, the Man of the Match award went to centre back Alex Battrick and striker ‘Ginny’ Davies.  This was the first major league trophy the boys had won since their great 2004/5 double winning season - so well done to the lads and to Lindsay Jacobs and his team of coaches - Nigel ‘Batty’ Battrick, Paul Salmon and Richard Stone.

Under 13 girls

The U13 girls beat Bath City in a very tight and even game at Chippenham Town Stadium on Sunday afternoon.  The girls took the lead early in the second half from a corner delivered by Ellie Lyne.  Romany Lowe and Beckie Sarten challenged for the ball in the penalty area, and Beckie managed to stab the ball into the corner of the net to put the Larks 1 nil up.  Larkhall continued to work the ball well against the previously unbeaten league winners, but clear cut chances were few and far between in a very even contest.  The girls however, had to weather strong pressure in the last 10 minutes and survived a couple of late scares but hung on to deservedly earn their first ever cup victory!  Well done to the girls and to their managers Martin Lyne and Chris Lowe. 

Here’s some film of the game, including the all-important goal!! (Thanks to Pete Dowling for providing this).

Great Supporters!

We’d also like to say a special THANK YOU to all the supporters of both teams.  The crowd at Chippenham Town seemed to be mostly Larkhall which was great to see, and the crowd at Bath City Stadium was counted at around 250 - 280, many of whom came to support Larkhall Athletic, which is outstanding support for a local club like ours.  We hope to continue to gain more success together as you all … follow The Blues.

Rich Stone & Tony Day, Co-chairmen LAFC Youth

Many congratulations go to Terry Buckley’s and Dave Marquiss’ U12 Eagles team, which has won the U12 Fair Play award in the Mid Wilts League!
Our club’s teams have enjoyed great success recently, with the Men’s first team gaining promotion to the Premier Division of the Western League and our U15 boys and U13 girls both reaching the final of their respective cup competitions.
The U12 Eagles’ success ranks up there with these successes and we are delighted and proud that all of the players, coaches, parents and carers have set such a great example of how to play and behave in a very sporting way, in accordance with our club’s PRIDE values.
Well done everyone associated with the U12 Eagles!
If anyone would like to support the Eagles in their Fair Play Final, it is being held at Leafy Lane, Corsham on Sunday, 3 May (from 12.30 onwards).