Frome Town Women returned to winning ways after solid away win at Middlezoy Ladies.
Playing away from home for the third week in a row, Frome started strongly, on the front foot, passing the ball purposefully through midfield, with Hill and Ratcliffe combining with Bristow on the left to create early openings. In the fourth minute Thorner-Atkinson cross was deflected out to Hill who fired just wide of the post.
The pitch looked to be a difficult, uneven surface to play on but Frome kept moving the ball well through the middle of the pitch, to create openings in and around the Middlezoy box. Captain Underhill shot from the edge of the box which bounced back off the crossbar out to Harris who hit rebound just wide of the post.
Frome’s back line of Whisstock, Perkins and Ratcliffe, seemed comfortably to deal with Middlezoy’s long balls forward and the only danger the home side had came from a long range free kick that went over the bar. Meanwhile, Frome continued to dominate possession in the first half with some amazing quick passing from the side. Minty, Underhill, Bristow and Hill worked the ball forward sharply, with Thorner-Atkinson dropping deep to receive the ball and pull Middlezoy defenders out of position.
Starr and Whisstock showed real grit in closing down Middlezoy and fighting for possession in the middle of the pitch. Frome pressure paid off soon after when the impressive Hill passes to Thorner-Atkinson who then found Underhill who superbly curled the ball into the top corner to make it 1-0 to Frome after 25 minutes.
Frome kept coming, after the restart and managed to play Harris in, who fired just wide of the post. On the half hour mark Frome decided to freshen things up when Peet was brought on to replace Harris. The Impressive Starr tried her luck from range which was saved from the Middlezoy goalkeeper.
Just before half time Petteford was brought on for Hill to freshen up the wings where Minty, Hill and Petteford were impressing throughout game, by creating openings on the flanks which Middlezoy struggled to deal with.
The second half started the same as the first half with Frome Town dominating possession on the ball, with top scorer Thorner-Atkinson firing just over from just inside of the box, when the ball fell to her. On the hour mark Underhill attempted from range which the goalkeeper saved.
Middlezoy had a minor spell battling hard between but the experienced Starr, Bristow and Underhill were excellent in winning the battles throughout game and winning the loose balls. While the defensive trio of Perkins, Ratcliffe and Whisstock battled hard and looked solid throughout. Restorick also performed calmly at the back, reading the play to sweep up any through balls and deny the home team any clear chances.
Middlezoy did managed to get on the end of al long ball into Frome’s are but the Player of the Match, Ratcliffe read the danger well to clear and preserve Frome’s lead.
In 75th Minute Bristow came off for rest on came the impressive hardworking Crowther was brought on to bring energy and fight into the midfield. Chances continued for Frome when Thorner-Atkinson tries from range which went just over the bar.
With just under 10 minutes a well deserved 2nd goal arrived when Petteford’s long ball to Perkins was headed down for Peet to fire the ball in top corner past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 to Frome.
Underhill tried an incredible volley which went just over the bar and Frome were able to see the game out to bring home the three points.
Manager Ben Bolland said: “This was a solid result for us, in difficult conditions. We passed the ball really well in the first half and created chances. In the second half, the game got stretched but we managed the game really well. Overall, a very good team performance, battling in tough conditions.”
The result brought Frome Town back to second in the league after AEK Boco lost to leaders Pucklechurch. Frome now prepare to host Weymouth at home next Sunday, as they continue with the final stretch of their league campaign. Thank you to Ryan Atkins for this match report.

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