Mangotsfield United 3 – Larkhall Athletic 1

On a very windy day on an exposed Mangotsfield pitch, it was obvious that the team that won the toss would take the early advantage and play with the strong wind behind them.

Mike baker called it and the sides switched ends to Larkhall’s advantage.

The first half got underway and the larks started strong dominating the play. Harry hope made a number of good runs with the ball down the right flanks, dancing around the Mangos leftback making him look ineffective, and the quality of Harry’s crosses were second to none on the day.

The larks were unlucky not to go ahead when Lewis Powell connected with a cross from Harry, which had the keeper beaten only for it to ping off the crossbar.

Number of other chances for Matt, Mason, Harry, Lewis and pretty much all the Larks players went begging with no success.

The Mango’s keeper was struggling with the goal kicks due to the very strong wind which almost every time boomeranged back towards his goal. They slowly adjusted there play to counter this by keeping the ball low and long.

Late in the first half the Mango’s on the counter attack, a tracking back Mike Baker couldn’t catch his man and clipped his heals just outside the 18 yard box to the right, which resulted in a free kick. A very well taken kick low and curving round the Larks wall to break the deadlock against the run of play. Mango’s 1 Larks 0

The second Mango’s took advantage of the wind and played to this strength, they went on to score another 2 goals to make it Mango’s 3 Larks 0.

Mike Baker made a amends by scoring his first goal of the season for the Larks from a well delivered cross and a skimming header into the far post.

In summary the Larks have to take their chances if they want to win.

Final Score Mangotsfield 3 – Larkhall Athletic 1

Man of the Match: Harry Hope

Next Winchester @ home