Saturday 12th October. FA Trophy Frome Town 2 Bideford 1
Frome Town finally overcame their first round opponents in a major cup competition for what seems like the first time in ages, with a 2-1 victory over fellow Southern League division 1 opponents Bideford at Badger’s Hill.
Danny Greaves made two changes; with Jon Davies unavailable and Alex Monks getting injured in the warm up, Martin Lenihan and Rob Hobbs came into the starting 11.
Frome started fairly well with several half chances but nothing to trouble the visiting goalkeeper and it was the visitors who took the lead in the 14th minute when Max Smallcombe found plenty of time to turn on the edge of the area and score into the top corner.
The home team’s performance was somewhat flat, with Bideford glancing a header just wide before Rob Hobbs in the Frome goal was called on to make a spectacular save from very close range on the half hour mark. The visitors then missed a virtually open goal after Frome gave the ball away and they were grateful to come in at half time only 1 down.
A verbal assault by the manager at half time was duly delivered and the second half turned out to be much better for Frome. Bideford still came out the brighter and dominated the opening exchanges, with Brown again proving Frome’s saviour after a header back to him fell short.
The equaliser for Frome arrived on 61 minutes when a Lenihan cross from the right was palmed away and fell to Matt Smith just inside the area and he made no mistake. From this point on Frome were dominant, apparently not fancying a Tuesday night trip to North Devon and started to apply some pressure, winning a series of corners. With only 10 minutes left, a glorious chance fell to Rob Hobbs, unmarked on the edge of the area, but his effort went over the cross bar. The same player made amends on 86 minutes when Lenihan cut in from the right, beating 5 platers before delivering the pass to Hobbs who made no mistake this time.
A deserved victory for the second half performance.
Man of the match Rob Brown. Attendance 252.
