Larks beaten in Cup Final...
Yeovil Town rounded off a memorable season by retaining the Somerset County Women's Senior Cup with a 3-0 victory over Larkhall Athletic in the Final at Wells.

Despite a typically valiant effort from the Larks, Yeovil proved to be just too strong and two goals in three minutes early in the second half set them up for a repeat of last season's scoreline and added to their South West Combination title success.

Yeovil got off to the perfect start by taking a fifth minute lead as Rosie Williams headed in a free kick, Larkhall goalkeeper Nicki O'Connell was just unable to keep the ball out.

There were a number of promising opportunities at either end but not too many chances in the first half as both sides defended well. Michelle Munro was having a fine game in midfield for Larkhall and one good pass did pick out Anna Walby but her hurried shot flew wide of the goal.

At the other end, good running and movement from Laura Bray was causing problems for the Larkhall defence and a period of prolonged pressure just before half time saw Yeovil win a series of corners, but Larkhall held out to maintain the one-goal deficit at half time.

Yeovil were close to doubling their lead early in the second half as Kirsty
Whitton pulled the ball back for Williams but her powerful strike from the edge of the area was kept out by a brilliant diving save from O'Connell. Moments later, O'Connell was called into action again as she clawed away a glancing near post header by Whitton from a corner.

The pressure soon told though and, after a move initially started by Bray, Williams drove in a low cross which was slotted home by Bray from close range.

Before Larkhall could recover, they found themselves three down as Sarah Gregory was penalised for a foul on Jodi Cornwall in the area. Cornwall picked herself up to take the resulting penalty and although O'Connell got her hand to the shot, the ball found the corner of the net and Yeovil were three up.

Larkhall worked hard to try and get themselves back in the game and their three substitutes all gave them some impetus but were not able to convert any chances that came their way. Kate German shot just wide after intercepting a clearance from Rachel Simkin, whilst Kelly Cripps was denied by a good near post save from Simkin and Natasha Miller headed just over from a corner.

Yeovil continued to look strong going forward and the impressive Williams went close to adding a fourth goal late on whilst Bray continued to be a constant threat.

Soon Yeovil celebrations could begin as they sealed a League and Cup 'double' whilst a dejected Larkhall team, who had given their all, could only reflect on finishing as runners-up in both league and county cup for the second year in succession.

Yeovil Town: Rachel Simkin, Nadine Grogen, Terri Trowbridge, Rosie Williams, Rachael Edwards, Emma Brazell, Laura Wensley, Kirsty Whitton, Jodi Cornwall, Laura Bray, Stacey Pearson. Subs: Shannon Osman, Justine Lorton, Jade Hatton.

Larkhall Athletic: Nicki O'Connell, Sarah Gregory, Amy Scrivens, Emily Harrington, Natasha Miller, Michelle Munro, Anna Walby, Carly Bryant, Kate German, Charlene Rooney, Carly Symons. Subs: Sophie Hamer, Kelly Cripps, Cheryl Baber.

(Report by Women’s Soccer Scene)