Frome Women advanced to the next round of the Somerset Junior Cup with a strong win away to Weston-Super-Mare Ladies. Following a narrow League defeat last weekend, the team looked to make a strong start in unseasonably warm sunshine against the Seagulls. And from the outset, the away side looked the stronger, taking advantage of the space on Weston’s 3G pitch to dominate the midfield. Underhill seemed to be finding space behind the Frome strikers and revelled in the freedom she had to move the ball forward and wide, as well as taking up position on the edge of the box to let fly an early strike which was saved by the Weston keeper.
In attack, Frome had deployed Harris and Minty to stretch the Weston back three, looking for gaps and Minty was able to find space on the left hand side of the box to fire in an early shot. It seemed clear from the opening ten minutes that Frome would take a strong grip on the game, and so it proved. With Hill and Didymus combining solidly on the left, while Petteford and Edwards combined strongly on the right, giving Frome control over the flanks as well as down the middle. Weston tried in vain to push long balls through Frome’s backline but Restorick was troubled little until late on in the half.
Playing through the middle, with Perkins at the back and Starr and Bristow combining in midfield, Frome put Weston under consistent pressure in their own third and it was Minty who took advantage when the ball fell to her to the left of the penalty spot and she finished emphatically, giving Weston’s keeper no chance. 1-0 to Frome.
The chances continued for Frome as Perkins found herself played through behind the Weston defence, only to be denied by the offside flag. A series of corners also followed for Frome but Weston were able to clear. Frome were able to double their lead before half-time though when Underhill floated a diagonal ball across the Weston box which fell to Petteford who’s first shot was well saved by the Weston keeper only for Petteford to make no mistake with the rebound, sending the ball into the back of the net.
Weston managed to get a glimmer of hope just before half-time when they played down the wide left, the cross evading Restorick but Didymus read the danger well and cleared for a corner, from which Weston were not able to profit.
After half-time, Frome continued to press forward looking for a third. With Regler now supporting the attack and Peet on for Harris, Frome worked the ball sharply from midfield pulling Weston to their left, only for Petteford to lay the ball to Bristow in space on the left corner of the box, able to advance and finish beautifully into the far post to put Frome 3-0 up.
Weston were given a glimmer of hope soon after when Frome failed to clear a high-ball to the far post and the home side bundled the ball over the line to make it 3-1 to Frome. Looking for a swift reply, Frome continued to press Weston high in and around their own box as the home side tried to play out from the back. After some confusion between their back line and goalkeeper, a loose ball fell to Bristow on the right hand edge of the box for a first time, looping finish into the far post, with the out of place keeper unable to react. 4-1 to Frome.
Weston showed they were not beaten yet though and managed to claw another goal back by creating space on Frome’s box to finish into the far post. 4-2. With Petteford rested and Whisstock now making surging runs on the right, as well as tracking back to battle with Weston’s forward runs, Frome continued their positive forward play.
Throughout the game, Hill had been outstanding, both in attack and covering back and across for the team, making her skill and presence felt across the pitch, and she was rewarded by getting on the score sheet in the final part of the game with a speculative shot from distance that Weston’s keeper couldn’t hold. 5-2 to Frome.
As the game entered the last ten minutes, the dominant Underhill was rested and Frome showed their confidence as Edwards made surging runs from the back while Peet worked energetically in attack, joined by Crowther for the closing stages, constantly harrying and pressing the nervy Weston defence. And Frome might have added a sixth as Perkins met a Bristow corner from five yards only to head the ball over the bar.
Overall, it was an impressive display by Frome’s whole squad who executed their game plan effectively and deserved the win. Frome now await the draw for the next round to see who they will face in the last sixteen. Meanwhile, the squad return to league action next Sunday with a tough away game against Pucklechurch.
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