Team: Locke Charlie Barnaby Rose Wheeler Russell Brewster Brotherton Carver Porter Seviour©
Subs: Wheeler Jnr Mead Hardwick
Dugout: Fosu Gharban(M)
MOM: Seviour
Goals: Seviour
Town played well in possession of the ball here against their opponents from the division above but yet again their play out of possession particularly when being counter attacked was their achilles heel.
Frome went into this game with the pacey powerful Carver back to fitness after a long injury layoff. In addition Frome tried a slightly different balance in the midfield with Brotherton making a first start and Russell starting for the first time since the opening day of the season. Frome started the game well in terms of possession and goal kick structure with midfielders Brewster, Russell & Brotherton keenly looking for possession of the from goalkeepers possession and having enough quality and awareness to breakdown the aggressive Weston Super Mare press.
In turn skipper Seviour’s excellent movement off the front allowed Frome a systematic build up with good running in behind by the pacey Porter & Carver stretching the Super Mare back line. Carver in particular impressed with some powerful runs down the right resulting in crosses that could not quite be converted. Super Mare it must be noted showed good quality in terms of recycling possession across the back line but Frome’s pressing pattern was reasonably good other than an issue with regards to fullbacks/mezzallas being too deep to affect play once play was switched.
Frome found themselves behind to a scrappy first goal about 30 minutes in. However Frome struck back with a brilliant goal constructed down the left side which saw Seviour get in behind using the left side interior corridor before finishing superbly for 1-1.
Frome however switched off on a corner yet again with a failure to zonally mark at the far post allowing Super Mare a simple tap in on the far side after a corner was not cleared. Just before half time Frome conceded another goal from an open play cross and header to find themselves 3-1 down at the break.
The second half was a bit of a non-event from Frome’s point of view with relatively good approach work with the ball being undone by a lack of width/counter pressing from fullbacks not overlapping enough.
This in turn was caused by a lack of holding midfield players to cover for the fullbacks on forward forays meaning the fullbacks were reticent to go forward fearing a lack of cover. In addition this lack of natural holding midfield players allowed Super Mare to execute a number of successful counter attacks in central areas.
To this end Frome ended up losing the match 6-1 although they were unfortunate not to get at least one more goal after a good press ended with Seviours block on the keeper bouncing just wide.
As a conclusion Frome’s management need to find the right balance between midfield players who hold deep positions to block counter attacks and facilitate width from advanced fullbacks by covering for them when play breaks down and these same holding players must also be able to show the high technical knowledge and ability to facilitate playing out of the back in the way the Frome midfield did so excellently in this match which enabled Frome to play good football in possession.