Frome Team: Phillips, Cooper, O’Loughlin, Maidment, Peck, Mapstone, Monks, Davies Simpson, Smith, Mannings Subs: Teale, Hallett, Lenihan, Cottle, Greaves Goal: Simpson, Mapstone
MoM: Smith
This weekend saw the Robins travel West down to Barnstaple, in a top vs bottom clash at this point in the season. With us topping the table on points with many of our rivals having games in hand. On paper this one looked like an easy game to call but we know that any game at this level can go either way, with a heavy pitch and unfavourable weather conditions. However, Frome Town secured another 3 points on their travels with a valuable win at Barnstaple Town to continue to be unbeaten away this season in the league. Danny Greaves had perhaps has an eye on Tuesday night’s away FA Trophy tie at Carshalton with his team selection. With Sam Teale and Dan Cottle moved to the bench to allow Warren Maidment to take a place in the starting 11 along with the returning Jon Davies. The other change of note was Rob Brown was unavailable and Kyle Phillips took his place between the sticks. It didn't take long and we got off to a dream start in the 4th minute when a clever pass from Mannings released Kane Simpson who beat the keeper to take the lead. This was Simpson's second goal since returning back to the club and Mannings taking his tally to three assists this season.
The game was always going to be about the hosts ability to take their chances when they were presented. They created a couple of opportunities which they spurned without really troubling Phillips in the Frome goal. It was a professional display by Frome that saw the first half drew to a close at 1-0.
A Barnstaple fight back was expected as the teams came out for the second half, but it was Frome start brightly and put the hosts under pressure from the first minute. After some good football the goalkeeper was called on to make a smart save at the feet of Mannings. The keeper was again back in action and produced another good save again with his feet when Kane Simpson broke through, as the we started to dominate the game.
In the 69th minute Frome scored their second and effectively killed the game. Davies delivered in a fine free kick from the right hand side, Marcus Mapstone was on hand to turn it in at the near post. You could sense the game was now settled and that Frome would protect their lead to see out the win.
The home goalkeeper, however was determined to keep the score respectable and pulled off one more excellent save from Simpson. Then Matt Smith tried to cap an excellent performance with a fine long range effort from that clipped the crossbar on 80 minutes. The final few minutes were played out in what can only be described as a very professional performance. Three more points on the board.
Frome Town man of the match was named as Matt Smith