This week we feature:
· Train with the Team – Monday 18 March 2024
· Match report – Shaftesbury Ladies FC 2 – 1 Frome Town Women
· Up next – Frome Town Women v Bath City Women
Come and train with the Frome Town Women Team!
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2024, Frome Town Women invite you to join us and come and train with the Team. We will be building on the success of the 2023 training session when we welcomed around 90 players, to strengthen our links with the community and to promote women’s football in Frome.
If you are a female player over the age of 6, please register on the link https://forms.gle/wsBmKe1UDHZp2g7q9 and join us on Monday 18th March, 6-7pm at Selwood School 3G pitch.
For more information, please email frometownwomen@gmail.com
Match Report by Ryan Atkins and Ben Bolland : Shaftesbury Ladies FC 2 – 1 Frome Town Women
For the second game in a row, Frome travelled to face League rivals with only a squad of 12 players available, with several of the squad still missing through injury. In a season that has become one of rebuilding, Frome’s thin squad contained five players aged between 16 and 18 as the team continues to develop local female football talent.
This time, we visited Shaftesbury Ladies FC and suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at the Shaftesbury 3G Football Stadium in the South West Regional Womens League.
On a breezy day in Dorset, the game started energetically. In the first half, Shaftesbury took an early lead after the twelth minute through a calm finish by their striker who was able to capitalise on a mistake at the back when Frome failed to clear the ball.
Playing into the fierce wind in the first half, Peet was able to find Underhill who superbly controlled the ball, taking a shot which was smartly saved by the Shaftesbury keeper, pushing it wide of the post. From the resulting Restorick corner, Frome found Underhill whose powerful header was saved again by the keeper.
Approaching half time, Shaftesbury doubled their lead. Frome won’t be happy with how they responded to the ball forward, allowing Shaftesbury to get in behind and make a simple cross across the goal which was tapped in from close range.
Whatever was said in the changing rooms at half-time, seemed to stir Frome back to life, as they came out fighting in the second half, with Rumens and (joint player of the match) Whisstock making runs along the wings and Peet and Harris combining well to create several attacks.
Restorick, Ham, A.Owen and Underhill battled hard in midfield winning the battles. Rumens and Whisstock making runs and defended well throughout with L.Owen yet again making some great saves to preserve the score line.
As Frome started on the front foot, Harris shot over. Shortly after fellow Player of the Match Ham took a quick throw-in to Underhill whose run to the by-line saw her pass across to Peet who scored from inside the six yard box, giving Frome hope.
Frome looked much more aggressive in defence in the second half as well. When a defensive short pass got close to the Shaftesbury attacker, Starr defensively intercepted the ball and cleared to stop the striker from scoring.
Frome kept pushing hard with Underhill and Harris both coming close, but unfortunately couldn't grab the equaliser the performance deserved, with Restorick going closest with an effort over the bar. Lack of subs really told in the second half as well with Frome’s midfield tiring and both Whisstock and Restorick were forced off for periods with injury.
Karen Perkins Frome Town Women Vice Captain said: “After a poor first half, a few words were needed at half time - and they certainly had the desired effect. The effort that we all put in for the second half was massive and we got a goal back that we deserved and were unlucky not to get a point out of the game.”
Ben Bolland Frome Town Women Manager said: “For the fourth time this season, we are on the wrong end of a close game. After a mixed first half where we weren't as effective as we could be, we rallied and pushed Shaftesbury all the way in the 2nd half, credit to the players for that, especially with a still depleted squad.”
Players Of The Match Leah Ham and Kitt Whisstock.
Up Next
Frome now look forward to a run of four home matches, starting this coming Sunday as they welcome Bath City Women to Badger’s Hill.
After 3 games away from home, Frome Town Women welcome neighbouring team, Bath City Women to Badgers Hill on Sunday 18th February. Kick off is at 2pm and entry is free. We look forward to seeing you there.