Frome got their promotion push back on track with a hard-fought victory against Bideford on Saturday afternoon at Badgers Hill.
After struggling to break down a well-organised opponent for most of the game, late goals from Rex Mannings and Alex Monks ensured the Robins would keep the pressure on Southern League Division One South leaders Cirencester.
In a first half of few chances, James Ollis passed up the best opportunity for the Robins as he failed to connect properly with a Mannings cross and missed the target from close-range.
Even though Mannings regularly made headway down the left flank he constantly found Bideford defender Kai Fisher in the way of his balls into the box, preventing Frome from making the most of the momentum they built as half-time approached.
It was Frome who were grateful for one of their men at the back on the stroke of half-time though, as Warren Maidment was perfectly positioned to clear off his own goal-line after ‘keeper James Carey was unable to gather a looping ball into the penalty area.
The Robins maintained their control of the game in the second period, but chances to open the scoring remained hard to come by.
Both Mannings and Jon Davies had a number of efforts from range, but Adam Seedhouse Evans in the Bideford goal was rarely forced to get his gloves dirty.
Frome remained patient in possession and determined in attack though, and they finally found the breakthrough in the 75th minute.
After Ollis held the ball up in the opposition penalty area with some textbook forward play, he knocked the ball into the path of Mannings and the midfielder thumped his shot into the back of the net.
Taking the lead seemed to significantly reduce any pressure the Robins were feeling, allowing them to get back to something like their fluent best for the final 15 minutes or so.
The win was sealed with just five minutes to play as Kane Simpson escaped down the right wing before crossing for fellow substitute Alex Monks to tap home from close range.
The three points means that Frome have moved back to within a point of league leaders Cirencester after they were held to a goalless draw at Sholing.
The Robins are back in action on Tuesday night as they make the trip to Weston-Super-Mare in the Men’s Somerset Premier Cup.
Good team performance worked for each other as usual.urchie john
Good team performance worked for each other as usual.urchie john
Player Ratings - Bideford
Carey - Had a few uncharacteristic moments and can thank his CB Maidment for saving his bacon on one occasion. Little to do otherwise. 6
Lenihan - Not one of his better games – distribution a little loose.– 6
Loughlin - Tidy enough game but not seen going forward to any effect today. 6
Baker – Excellent Won nearly all his duels. Bruiser number one.- 8
Hallet - Again very solid-, not pretty but effective. Bruiser number two - 7
Davies – always looking to create something. Great pass to put in Simpson for second goal. - 8
Rigg - Goes unnoticed but did a decent job – 6
Typically a lower league side such as Bideford prove more difficult to play against than a team in the upper half. However Frome weathered the storm. I agreed Maidment deserved to be man of the match. Why oh why play Lenihan. He makes mistakes big time. He can’t beat a playe. He boots the ball and a captain he is not!
Sorry to moan but the rest of the team are great.
I thought Ollis was outstanding in leading the line. Mannings is such a good player and what a finish that was! All the forwards work ethics are amazing and it runs through the team. Mike Baker was an absolute beast today and that was a very impressive home debt for him. Well done the Sub's for that ' knock out' impact.
4 points from the next two games would be brillant.! There's going to be another 'bumper' crowd for the Totten. game for sure.
Urchie