Larks get off the blocks!

A resilient second half performance against local rivals Melksham Town on a scorching hot bank holiday Monday gave the Larks the win they badly needed to get their league campaign underway.

Our captain Sam Boulton got us the lead some 20 minutes into the game, slotting home from close range in a crowded Melksham penalty area. The visitors were then forced into an early substitution due to injury and brought on ex-Lark Aysa Corrick, who galvanised his team and set up Ralph Graham for the equaliser. Only moments before half time Graham struck again with a neat strike off the far post.

Being 2-1 down at the break gave the Larks some work to do, but another substitution gave us fresh hope. Alex Camm – who was awarded Man of the Match – showed great creativity in midfield and supplied Harvey Flippance who fired off a tremendous finish past Adam Forster. Liam Armstrong in the Larks goal pulled off two fine saves to deny Graham and ex-Lark Archie Milne. Alex Camm was to be the provider again late on in a pulsating second half as he passed to Ryan Beckinsale who lifted the ball over Forster with only 5 minutes to play. Dylan Tate did well to hold the ball up for the remainder of the game and ensure that all three points stayed at Plain Ham.

Larks line-up: Armstrong; Banks; Goodall; Boulton; White; Beckinsale; Williams; Mortimer-Taylor; Flippance; Regula; J Camm; subs: A Camm; Murgatroyd; Tate.

Attendance: 320.

Photos of Ryan’s winning goal by Av Bains. Full gallery here.