Timsbury’s failure to convert chances in front of goal ultimately led to them losing all three points of this Somerset County League Division One East game against a strong Larkhall side.

Timsbury had the first attempt on goal when Blannin’s shot was pushed around the post by Jones, the Larkhall keeper. After five minutes, the home side won a corner after good work by Dolman; Timsbury failed to clear the ball successfully and it ended up with Symonds, planting a header beyond the reach of Hamilton to make it 1–0.

Undeterred by this setback, Timsbury started to play their neat passing game, using the pace of Blannin and Lutwama to pressurise the home defence. Blannin had another shot turned away for a corner, Lutwama’s fine run and cross caused havoc in the home defence with the resulting goalmouth scramble somehow running safe.

Larkhall were finding it increasingly difficult to get out of their own half and were lucky not to concede after a cross from Nix was headed back across goal by Lutwama to the feet of Blannin to fire home, only to be ruled out for offside. It seemed only a matter of time before Timsbury’s superiority would result in a goal, but although the home defence led a charmed life, they stood firm. In fact, it was Timsbury who had their keeper to thank for saving at the feet of Dolman, stopping them increasing the lead further.

Larkhall started the second half in a far more positive fashion and it was the home side who added to their lead on the hour mark, when a shot from Parsons took a wicked deflection off Brookes and totally wrong-footed Hamilton in the Timsbury goal. This knocked Timsbury completely out of their stride and it was no surprise when Keen made it 3–0 with a 25 yard free kick, which deceived the keeper and ended up in the back of the net.

It wasn’t until the last fifteen minutes that Timsbury showed any signs of getting back into the game. A Lutwama free kick was well saved by Jones, with Blannin’s shot from the rebound being deflected around the post. Then a shot from Lutwama was saved by Jones from point blank range after a great cross from Parker.

Timsbury finally scored with five minutes remaining when a corner was met by a fine header from Bishop, giving the keeper no chance. Unfortunately, this was too little too late and Larkhall held on for the win.

Star Man: Jon Dolman (Larkhall Athletic).

Rob Veater