Mon. 25th August. Southern League Div. One
Westbury 0-1 Frome Town
Less than 48 hours from a trip in Hampshire, the Robins headed east to Wiltshire, with Westbury hosting the fourth league game of the season.
Frome fans will recognise the familiar lineup, with Llewellyn and Dowling as the midfield duo, whilst Gould had to take the bench.
As expected, it was a cagey affair in the first 20 minutes. A couple of scurry chances but nothing major to affect the scoreline. Westbury were in control, however, with most of the ball being inside Frome’s half.
Momentum switched in the Robins’ favour; Dowling pinned crosses in throughout the half, troubling the host’s defence; and Ferris got on the end of one of the most notable attacks, his effort collected calmly by Butler.
Just five minutes later the only goal of the game was scored by David Duru. The former Taunton attacker was handed the ball on a plate by Ferris’ staple composure on the ball, giving the Nigerian his third of the season, all of which have been away from home.
The second-half was underway, and the entertainment was matched. Yet there was no goal this half; defensively, every player in a red shirt played their part perfectly.
One of the many key saves made by Phillips came from a one-on-one opportunity with Jenkins on the left side of the goal; his effort was parried away from the goal.
Holiday makes a darting run into the box; his cross was cleared over the bar for a corner. Dowling’s cross was in the right area, but no one was there for contact.
One final chance for the Robins late on came from an interception by Sam Meakes; the No. 19 sprinted with the ball in-between his feet, hoping to kill the game off, but his effort was blazed over the crossbar, still hunting for that first goal back at Frome.
The Robins take home all three points back to Somerset after a close affair with Westbury. There will be no league action until at least 13th September, subject to cup competitions, and manager Danny Greaves will have to now shift his attention to all of the cup competitions; Plymouth Parkway awaits in Devon on the final day of August.
Report by Thomas Groves
Picture: Duru’s strike from close range clinched bragging rights on a Bank Holiday Derby Day
