Goalless draw leaves Town stuck in second

Sat 9th Apr. Southern League Div. One. Att: 617 Frome 0 Bristol Manor Farm 0

FROME failed to capitalise on an opportunity to move back to the top of the Southern League Division One South table as they were held to a goalless draw by Bristol Manor Farm at Badgers Hill.

Despite controlling possession for long spells of the game, the Robins struggled to fashion opportunities to score and it was in fact the visitors who came closest to breaking the deadlock. 

It was Manor Farm who started the stronger, winning a succession of corners that first saw James Carey acrobatically keep out an Owen Howe header, before Mike Baker cleared the ball off his own goal-line from the resulting delivery.

Frome grew into the game after their nervy start, and Kane Simpson had the first real shot in anger for Danny Greaves’ side, turning sharply on the edge of the Manor Farm box and only being denied a superb goal by a sprawling save from Ben John. 

Manor Farm almost took the lead not long after, as some superb work down the right flank by Jake Gosling ended with him setting up a shot for Ben Bament just six yards from goal, but the wideman scuffed his effort and let the Robins off the hook. 

Frome nearly took full advantage of their good fortune just before the interval as Davies raced in behind the visiting defence, yet when he faced up John one-on-one, he could only flash a left-footed shot wide of the target. 

The Robins came out for the second half looking far more composed, yet they still found it difficult to pick holes in an organised Manor Farm backline.  

The best chance to snatch all three points came and went before the hour mark as after Davies had cleverly picked out Simpson in the penalty area, the big striker could only find the side netting with John closing him down quickly. 

Frome had a series of half chances and had plenty of opportunities to test the Manor Farm defence from set-pieces, but it was in fact the away side that created the best chance to score late on as Michael Bryant scuffed his shot after being picked out in the box. 

The Robins are now level on points with Plymouth Parkway at the top of the table, but have an inferior goal difference to the Devon side. 

With three games of the league season remaining, Frome make the trip to Slimbridge on Saturday 16th April as their quest for promotion continues.