Second defeat of the season for Town in Boxing Day derby clash

Thurs. 26th Dec. Southern League Div. One Melksham Town 4-1 Frome Town

Frome Town’s Christmas period woes continued with a heavy defeat in the Boxing Day derby away at Melksham Town. 

The hosts set the early pace and were pressing Frome hard all over the pitch, breaking the deadlock as early as the 7th minute where former player and captain, Luke Ballinger, was allowed a free strike from well outside the area which flew past Brown in the Frome goal. 

The half continued in much the same vein with Melksham closing down the Frome midfielders creating mistakes or dispossessing them but they were unable to increase the lead and it was the visitors, against the run of play, who drew level when a fine long pass was collected by Jon Davies who beat the last defender and steered the ball past Bartlett to send the teams in level at half time, with their only real chance of the half. 

Frome started the second half more brightly with a couple of half chances but the game soon returned to the earlier pattern with Melksham totally in control and they reinstated the lead on 70 minutes with a goal from substitute Albie Hopkins, against his home Town team. 

Just 3 minutes later Ballinger raced onto a through ball as the Frome defence stood and watched and lobbed Brown comfortably. 5 minutes later it became 4 as a fine strike was well saved by Brown onto the post, only for the ball to drop to Romanski who volleyed home the final goal. 

The result and performance, whilst disappointing, needs to be taken in context and is only the second of the season. Manager Danny Greaves and the large number of Frome supporters in an impressive crowd of 702 will be looking for a reaction when we face Cinderford at Badger’s Hill on New Year’s Day. 

MOTM Jon Davies