Larkhall v Totton. Tuesday 23rd November, 2016

Carved in to the side of a steep hill, Larkhall Athletic's picturesque home is a sought after tick on many a groundhopper's to do list. It can be found, with some difficulty, at the end of a series of narrow lanes. An impossibly tight hair pin bend renders any team coach attempting to get in to the car park a non starter. Plain Ham certainly has the feel of a hidden gem, a true footballing outpost.

The surrounding scenery also adds to it's allure. It sits above the Georgian city of Bath and offers lovely views down below. It also overlooks Solsbury Hill on the other side of the steep valley, a hill so good it has it's own Peter Gabriel song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fF8wU4Nl9Y

Tonights game, in late November, meant that I couldn't see much of the surrounding country side. I went to a game here last season in the spring and would recommend any first time visitor to go in day light. I made the mistake of missing the car park and parking in Larkhall itself. I set off walking up a steep road, after a while the houses and street lights stopped and I had to complete the final leg fumbling around in pitch black darkness, following the reassuring sounds eminating from the warm up.

Larkhall went in to this Southern League Div one south & west clash on the back of an eye brow raising 5-0 win at Shortwood. Totton meanwhile were third from the bottom and had just bought in the management duo of Louis Langdown and Adam Wilde in an effort to turn things around.

I arrived at the ground in plenty of time and sought out the clubhouse for a pint. Though quite big, it felt very cosy, it had some tasteful arches and even the bars on the windows somehow made it feel more homely; a safe refuge from the dark night outside. I got chatting to a Larks fan who was kind enough to tell me which players to look out for, and over a soda water told me how Larkhall were struggling for consistency so far this season. He added that the Larkhall womens team were running away with their league having been promoted last season.

Standing outside the bar, the gradient of the hill becomes apparent as you realise that the playing surface is sunk 20 feet or so below behind the turnstile in front of you. I paid my entry and got pitch side just in time to see the teams descend the steep stair case 'tunnel' down from the changing rooms.

The main stand at Plain ham is on the higher side of the hill, it stretches the majority of the length of the pitch, is covered and has a few rows of seats. The dug outs are at the bottom of the steep decline down to the touchline. Behind one goal is another steep slope up to the car park. There is more covered standing to be found on the other two sides of the pitch with high evergreen's providing a handsome backdrop. I opted to watch the opening exchanges from the main stand. I was on the look out for Tom of Partizan Bristle fame: http://partizanbristle.blogspot.co.uk/. He'd tweeted that he was going to be at the game and I thought this would be a good place to spot him from. The linesman on the near side was the first to catch the eye, he quickly set his stall out, firmly telling the coaching staff how he wanted to be talked too when they voiced frustration at a couple of early decisions. Go lino!

Both teams looked up for it. The long journey up the A36 from Hampshire did not seem to have drained the Totton players of any motivation or enthusiasm. In Neil Williams they had a combative central middle field general, he was keeping things ticking over, busy organising and encouraging some of the younger players around him including right back Connor York making his debut. I remembered being impressed with Larkhall centre back, Ollie Price on my last visit and he again was looking solid at the back for the home team. By this time I'd been joined by Tom and we swapped stories of recent travels, including his jaunt to Ireland and Wales last month, as the rest of the fairly uneventful first half played out. 0-0 at the interval. 

The tea hatch

After the break, the game started to open up. Larkhall began to show some of the quality that hinted at the kind of performance they were capable of on the previous Saturday. Their number 11 on the left, Jamie Lyons looked dangerous and Totton were having to work hard to contain him. They were proving effective though and Lyons frustration was evident as we kept hearing him encourage/ berate his team mates when attacks broke down or shots sailed over the bar.

One of Larkhall's best chances came from a throw in, Lyons took it quickly from the left, weighting it perfectly for Joe Tumelty to take in his stride, Tumelty showed a lovely bit of skill in taking it round an on rushing defender but his shot was well saved by Totton keeper Charlie Searle.

Larkhall created a number chances but either they couldn't find the target, or Searle, who was having a fine game, came to the away sides rescue. It was clear that Totton were holding on for a point, but they did look a threat on the counter attack in the final stages. Their number 9, Ben Cooper came in to the game more and more and with ten minutes to go created a golden opportunity. After good work on the right he cut inside and looked up to play in a team mate, by now he was in the area and unfortunately his drilled cross arrived at the feet of Williams before he had time to set himself and get his shot away.

At the final whistle it was clear how much the point meant to the Totton players and new management team. Cheers amongst the crowd also revealed that a significant number had travelled up to support the away team. An impressive following for a struggling team on a Tuesday night in what I imagine was at least a 4 hour round trip.

A hard fought attritional nil nil draw with plenty of commitment and desire. I said goodbye to Tom and Plain Ham and went off down the hill in search of my car.