A greatly reduced Larks squad bowed out of the League Cup at higher level opposition. Due to the unavailability of a number of players, youngsters Fin Coyle and Charlie Wiles-Richards got their starting debuts, as did Bath City loanee Ashley Harper and defender Jaiden Savery.
It’s probable that the unfamiliar line-up led to a sub-par performance in the first half and the home side ended it 2-0 up. Phil and Arnie shuffled the pack at half time, bringing on Lewis Powell, Wayne Nderemani and Ollie Morris, who changed the game immediately. After a couple of narrow misses, Lewis got us back into the game with a close-range header off a fine cross from Wayne. At 2-1 and with the Larks having more possession and enterprise, it looked like parity was within our grasp, but Marine got back on top for the last half hour, scoring two more to put the game beyond reach.
Although we were the weaker side on the night, 3-2 might have been a fairer scoreline.