Wednesday 15th January
Frome Town 1-0 Westbury Utd
Sam Heal’s strike in the second-half clinched all three points for Frome against Westbury in the A3098 Derby.
“It was Westbury’s cup final, but it was also ours. Every game will be a cup final for us now,” said Danny Greaves after the tight 1-0 victory over local rivals.
A typical local derby affair: cagey first 45 minutes, little difference between either side and plenty of tackles.
This result extended Frome’s recent unbeaten record to 14 in the league, also pushing the Robins eight points clear at the top of the table.
Greaves made one change after the compelling 3-1 victory over Winchester four days prior, as Sam Meakes made a return into the starting 11, whilst Brendan Holmes dropped to the bench.
It was Westbury who had the first clear-cut chance as captain Ryan Bole looked to take aim from the left side of the 18-yard box; however, his effort dragged wide of the post.
League position meant nothing in the tie, as not only was the hostility of the local derby in full effect, but the conditions at hand also didn’t suit Frome in the first half.
However, the Robins were the better team in the first 45; they created more chances, had more of the ball, but just couldn’t put away their efforts.
Harry Lucas attempted a bicycle kick from close range just over the half-hour mark; his effort was poorly timed and easily cleared away by Joel Manning.
The closest the hosts got in the first half was late on; Heal whipped the ball into the danger area as Ferris leaped headfirst into the box, with his shot skimming the left post.
Half-time was called by Adam Wilson, with all to play for in the remaining 45 minutes. But with Greaves’ experience and the players’ quality, it didn’t take long before Frome took the lead.
Only a minute from the restart, Sam Heal charged into the box on the left flank and took aim; his effort took Manning by surprise, and he couldn’t get a hand on the ball.
From here on out, the visitors, Westbury, were praying for a defensive skip-up from the Dodge; however, it didn’t come.
One chance where they did get close came from Bevan Cross; the number 15 created a one-two with Witcombe, but his effort was blocked and cleared away by Warren Maidment.
Frome’s defence was solid, not allowing any mistakes to happen, no matter the pressure the visitors put against them.
Time withered out for Westbury as the Robins collected all three points, their fourth win in a row against their local rivals; none of which have been played on a Saturday.
Lineup: Phillips, Lucas, Heal (Holmes 70), Teale(C), Gould, Dowling (Llewellyn 60), Ferris, Drew (Feltham 83), Hopkins, Maidment, Meakes (Lynden 77). Subs not used: Dodiment
Attendance: 814
Man of the match: Harry Lucas
Report by Thomas Groves
