Larks Eclipsed by Weymouth

The match finished Larkhall Athletic 2–3 Weymouth at Plain Ham last night. Larkhall trailed 0–1 at half-time, before a dramatic second half saw four further goals. (The Pitching In Southern Football League)

Larkhall Athletic were left to rue a frustrating evening at Plain Ham as Weymouth edged a five-goal thriller 3–2 in an entertaining first home league game of the season.

There was little to separate the sides during an evenly contested opening, although Weymouth gradually began to look the more threatening and eventually found the breakthrough before half-time. Larkhall went into the interval trailing 1–0, but there was plenty of encouragement in the performance and the game remained very much alive.

The second half produced a completely different contest, with both sides throwing caution to the wind.

Weymouth extended their advantage, but Larkhall responded and refused to let the game drift away from them. The Larks found the net twice with two goals from Ryan Beckinsale including a great free-kick, and suddenly the visitors were under serious pressure, with Plain Ham sensing that an equaliser was possible.

However, Weymouth showed why they will be among the sides expected to challenge strongly this season. They managed to find another goal to restore their advantage and, despite a determined late effort from Larkhall including hitting the bar with the very last action of the game, held on for all three points.

For the Larks, there were certainly positives to take from a match against one of the division's bigger clubs. The players continued to battle right to the final whistle and, at 2–3, Weymouth could not afford to relax.

Ultimately, though, it was a case of so near yet so far for Larkhall. A couple of moments at either end proved decisive, and Weymouth left Plain Ham with the points.

Larkhall Athletic 2–3 Weymouth

A five-goal contest, plenty of attacking intent and a performance that suggests there will be plenty more to come from the Larks as the season develops.