Rockin’ Robins

The Season So Far:

My first Southern League game of the season sees me head 8 miles south and across the border into Somerset. Frome Town are sitting pretty at the top of Division One South, six points clear of AFC Totton, although Town have played one more game than their Hampshire rivals.

The Robins recently suffered their first League loss of the season – a surprise 1-0 defeat to Highworth Town. Other than that the League season so far has been fairly plain sailing – Frome have won all their other games apart from three draws. They have, however, been knocked out of the FA Cup and Trophy, albeit after decent runs in the earlier rounds: The FA Cup saw them defeated convincingly by National League South Bath City. Prior to this they did manage a very impressive victory over Oxford City, who compete 2 levels higher alongside the aforementioned Romans. Frome were knocked out of the FA Trophy on penalties by AFC Totton (and will be hoping that result does not foreshadow the end of the League season!), after having beaten Didcot Town from the equivalent Division One Central, and then Poole Town from one of the Leagues above – the Premier Division South.

Visiting from Devon, Willand Rovers are currently in 12th position in the League and come into this game off the back of a 3-1 win over struggling Cinderford Town (Willand’s midweek game against Highworth Town was called off due to a waterlogged pitch). Like their opponents, Rovers have also been knocked out of both main Cup competitions: falling at the first hurdle away to Aylesbury Town in the FA Cup, and making it to the 1st Round proper of the Trophy before losing to Hartley Wintney. To get to that stage Willand beat Yate Town from the Southern Premier Division South.

On paper this looks like another win for Frome, but both teams have shown this season that the unexpected can happen, and so I keep an open mind about the result and look forward to an entertaining game.

The Visit:

Today marks my second visit of the year to a match in Frome: in April I saw Frome Collegians beat Shrewton United during that weird Purgatorial time when football was allowed but the Leagues had all been prematurely ended. The weather that day was unseasonably warm for April; today’s, however was the polar opposite – cold and constant drizzle. Badger’s Hill is a mere stone’s throw from Collegians’ home ground, but boasts facilities that wouldn’t look out of place a couple of divisions higher up: at one end is a covered standing area which is popular with the home crowd, not least because of its proximity to the bars. Opposite this at the far end is a decent sizes covered, seated stand which housed some of Frome’s more youthful fans. Along most of one touchline is an imposingly large covered and sloping standing area, with the main seated stand facing it.

Frome’s line-up featured several ex-Bath City players – George Rigg, Jon Davies and James Ollis were all in the starting eleven, while recently departed ex-Football League midfielder Ryan Harley was on the bench. The opening exchanges were fairly even with Willand keen to show that they would not just sit back and soak up any pressure. Jon Davies tested Willand keeper George Burton on 5 minutes but his shot was straight at Burton. Martin Lenihan was next to try his luck for the home side, but his shot was just over after a corner was cleared out to him. On the quarter hour mark, Willand’s Adam Hill volleyed over from the edge of the area. Shortly after, Davies aimed a dangerous ball towards Ollis in the Willand box but Burton dived to the ground and got a fist to the ball before Ollis could get there. In the 20th minute the Robins took the lead – Lenihan sending in a floated cross which was met by the towering Kane Simpson whose header evaded Burton. Less than 10 minutes later the home side made it two, and it came from nowhere. A free kick on the far side just inside the Willand half was taken quickly by captain Sam Teale who spotten Burton off his line. It was an inch-perfect lob and the healthy home crowd rightfully erupted in jubilation. It was almost three a few minutes later – Ollis was played through on goal but his finish was just off target, apparently helped by a fingertip from Burton as a corner was awarded. The corner was taken by Davies who received it back from a near post clearance. He drove into the box and shot low towards the near post. This time Burton was equal to it and held on tight. Soon after Simpson went on a mazy run and let loose from 18 yards but his shot did not match the run and flew way over. First half injury time saw Frome keeper James Carey gathering a Willand free kick that was straight at him, but the Robins went into the break 2 goals to the good.

Willand started the second period well and were showing some real intent, if not carving out much in the way of clear-cut chances. There was also some early handbags on account of an off-the-ball incident – three yellow cards were issued on this occasion. Lenihan sent in a cross on 54 minutes which looper onto the bar – pretty sure this one was unintentional! A rare Willand attack had Jack Rice-Lethaby cut inside and get in a shot which lacked power. It was heading for the bottom corner but Carey was able to pounce on it. Three minutes later Frome made it 3-0 – Simpson held up the ball well and found Ollis with a deft backheel. The striker had the whole goal to aim at and didn’t disappoint. With just over 15 minutes remaining, Rice-Lethaby’s free kick took a deflection and wrong-footed Carey. Sadly for the visitors the deflected effort flew just wide of the goal. A bad tackle from a Willand player soon led to another scuffle for the officials to deal with. With 9 minutes to go Rex Mannings forced a good point-blank save from Burton. Mannings then had to chase his fellow number 16 Travis Yule-Turner (very festive) most of the length of the pitch. The Willand sub overran it and the angle became too narrow – his eventual shot was straight at Carey. Visiting centre back Kieran Bailey let fly from distance with a couple of minutes left on the clock but it was another effort straight at the home keeper. At this point I had to leave to get the last bus home, but it would seem the only action of note was further fisticuffs which ended in Frome’s Ollis being yellow carded.

A good win for Frome who can thank Somerset rivals Paulton Rovers for defeating promotion rivals AFC Totton 4-2. The Robins with another valuable 3 points.