Controversy as ref abandons match

Sat. 21st Dec. Southern League Div. One Frome Town 2-0 Thatcham Town MATCH ABANDONED – REF’S DECISION

Thatcham were smiling into the Christmas break as the referee stopped the match with 15 minutes to play due to “Player Safety” concerns.

It was a match that had heavily been billed as a potential league decider with both teams in impressive league form. However Frome produced a dominant display that saw the Robins race to a 2-goal lead. 

The pitch had passed a referee inspection prior to the start of the game but as the game started, the pitch cut up pretty quickly in the rain. The rain was a constant throughout the match as the playing conditions were tough but as most people would say, “I’ve played on much much worse”.

Frome’s midfield were on song, with Monks and Davies setting the early tone. The first big chance fell to Kane Simpson, as a loose challenge found Simpson free on the edge of the box. Kane hit the shot too hard as it flew just over the bar.  The pressure kept coming in waves and on 16 minutes, a moment of magic from Davies as he beat a player easily before being felled clumsily in the box. Alex Monks stepped up and dispatched the penalty in style.

Then on 22 minutes, the referee played a great advantage in the centre of the park. The ball run free to Monks, who looked up and hammered home a wonderful strike from over 25 yards into the bottom left hand corner. 

The first half was totally dominated by Frome Town as chances came and went, with Simpson and Cooper coming close to increasing the Robins’ lead.

At half time the rain seemed to be slowing down and any concerns of an abandonment looked premature.

The second half started as the first, with first Kane Simpson putting wide from close range, followed by Matt Smith putting one over the bar following great work from Mannings on the wing.

With the game starting to slow and Frome comfortable in possession, a free kick was awarded to Frome on the halfway line. With the referee about to start play, the linesman signalled for a conversation. The result was the referee declaring the match abandoned as the rain started to come down again.

The boos rang out around the Hill, as much bemusement at the referee’s decision followed as many thought if the game had been safe at kick-off and halftime, there was no real difference in the 75th minute.

FROME TOWN XI: Phillips, Cooper, Maidment, O’Loughlin, Teale, Mapstone, Monks, Simpson, Smith, Davies, Mannings.

SUBS: Brown, Lenihan, Hobbs, Peck, Monks.