Sat 2nd Dec. Southern League Premier Division One South. Frome Town 2-1 Exmouth Town
FROME squeaked past a resilient Exmouth side at a cold Badgers Hill, to put themselves third in the league. Goals from Kane Simpson and Marcus Day saw the BA11 side come away with all three points despite a shaky performance.
Although Exmouth are bottom of the league, this was never going to be an easy game, proven in the third minute where Nelson Iseguan picked up a loose ball, raced through, but could only send his effort over the bar.
Frome grew in to the game and in the eighth minute, Marcus Day went close, his shot from the left-hand side was deflected just past the post and out for a corner.
It was Exmouth who dealt the first blow however, in the 28th minute, a free-kick from the right-hand side was cleared, but only as far as Michael Landricombe who struck his effort cleanly, sending it in to the bottom corner past Kyle Phillips.
Frome did respond well, and were unlucky not to level instantly, a simple long ball, which wasn’t dealt with by keeper Chris Wright, fell to Pierce Mitchell but his effort was blocked by Tom Gardner. It went from bad to worse for Frome in the 40th minute, with referee Carl Peters deeming Matt Wood caught Ben Steer in the box and awarded Exmouth a penalty.
Fortunately, Louis Morison’s penalty struck the left-hand post, before bouncing out and getting cleared eventually, a big wake up call for the Robins. Half-time arrived, and it was clear the Robins weren’t their usual selves, a big team talk was needed from manager Danny Greaves if Frome wanted to get themselves back in to the game.
Whatever Greaves said at half-time cleared worked, as in the 51st minute Kane Simpson latched on to a through ball, ran through and slotted past keeper Wright. Despite some improvements, Frome were still sloppy, giving the ball away again in the 58th minute, which saw the Exmouth attacker charge through, with his effort getting blocked out for a corner.
It was then a heart in mouths moment for the Somerset side in the 67th minute, a low cross from Exmouth went right across the face of goal and was somehow not put in at the back post. The Town rued that missed chance as just six minutes later, Frome took the lead through Marcus Day, from an almost identical bit of play that Exmouth just missed.
Day, who was causing problems all game, met Zak Drew’s low cross at the back post and tapped home. The Devon based side proceeded to knock on Frome’s door for the remainder of the game, but didn’t get an answer, with their only chance coming in the 93rd minute, where Louis Morison saw his effort sail over the bar.
Then after a brilliant bit of game management at the corner flag, the game ended, with Frome arguably not deserving, but picking up three huge points nonetheless. Now attentions turn to, or likely they already have, to the big game this Saturday in the FA Trophy against Torquay.
Frome will be confident heading in to the match having already knocked out National League South side Worthing on penalties in the round prior.
Match report by Harrison Richards.