Playing away from home for the third week in a row, Frome started strongly on the front foot with the players passing the ball purposefully through midfield with Hill and Ratcliffe combining with Bristow on the left to create early openings. In the fourth minute Thorner-Atkinson cross was deflected out to Hill who fired just wide of the post.
Playing away from home for the third week in a row, Frome started strongly on the front foot with the players passing the ball purposefully through midfield with Hill and Ratcliffe combining with Bristow on the left to create early openings. In the fourth minute Thorner-Atkinson cross was deflected out to Hill who fired just wide of the post.
The pitch looked to be a difficult and uneven surface to play on but Frome kept moving the ball well through the middle of the pitch, to create openings in and around the Middlezoy box. Captain Underhill shot from the edge of the box which bounced back off the crossbar out to Harris who hit the rebound just wide of the post.
Frome’s back line of Whisstock, Perkins and Ratcliffe, seemed comfortably to deal with Middlezoy’s long balls forward and the only danger the home side had came from a long-range free kick that went over the bar. Meanwhile, Frome continued to dominate possession with some amazing quick passing from the side. Minty, Underhill, Bristow and Hill worked the ball forward sharply, with Thorner-Atkinson dropping deep to receive the ball and pull Middlezoy defenders out of position.
Starr and Whisstock showed real grit in closing down Middlezoy and fighting for possession in the middle of the pitch. Frome pressure paid off soon after when the impressive Hill passes to Thorner-Atkinson who then found Underhill who superbly curled the ball into the top corner to make it 1-0 to Frome after 25 minutes.
Frome kept coming after the restart and managed to play Harris in, who fired just wide of the post. On the half hour mark Frome decided to freshen things up when Peet was brought on to replace Harris. The impressive Starr tried her luck from range which was saved from the Middlezoy goalkeeper.
Just before half time Petteford was brought on for Hill to freshen up the wings where Minty, Hill and Petteford were impressing throughout game, by creating openings on the flanks which Middlezoy struggled to deal with.
Frome Town were dominating possession with top scorer Thorner-Atkinson firing just over from just inside of the box and on the hour mark an Underhill attempt from range which the goalkeeper saved.
The experienced Starr, Bristow and Underhill were excellent in winning the battles throughout game and winning the loose balls while the defensive trio of Perkins, Ratcliffe and Whisstock battled hard and looked solid throughout. Restorick also performed calmly at the back, reading the play to sweep up any through balls and deny the home team any clear chances.
Middlezoy managed to get on the end of al long ball into Frome’s area but the Player of the Match, Ratcliffe read the danger well to clear and preserve Frome’s lead.
In 75th minute Bristow came off for a rest and on came Crowther who was brought on to bring energy and fight into the midfield. Chances continued for Frome with Thorner-Atkinson going close.
With just under 10 minutes to go a well-deserved second goal arrived when Petteford’s long ball to Perkins was headed down for Peet to fire the ball in top corner past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Underhill tried an incredible volley which went just over the bar and Frome were able to see the game out to bring home the three points.
Manager Ben Bolland said, “This was a solid result for us, in difficult conditions. We passed the ball really well in the first half and created chances. In the second half, the game got stretched but we managed the game really well. Overall, a very good team performance, battling in tough conditions.”
The result brought Frome Town back to second in the league after AEK Boco lost to leaders Pucklechurch.
Report by Ryan Atkins.
- Frome Town Women have also secured a spot in the semi-final of the Somerset FA Women Junior Cup Semi-Final against Framton Rangers on Sunday 26th February at 2pm. Free entry.
