Hopkins strike seals eighth straight home win for Frome

Albie Hopkins’ close-range strike bagged all three points for the Robins, Frome’s eighth consecutive home victory. 

The number 11 had a goal ruled out at the 30-minute mark, his diving effort was flagged by the linesman; after an exchange in words from both Ali and Collier, the goal was disallowed.

Yet with the difficult conditions, all three points head to Danny Greaves’ men and with the win secured, this kept the 11-point gap from Malvern Town in second place.

Prior to this tie, Frome travelled to West Bristol as they faced Bristol Manor Farm and took all the available points at The Creek.

Skipper Sam Teale was in the stands in this fixture due to the passing of his dad, Rich Teale, and there was a minute silence before the game commenced to honour him.

Both Frome and Willand had to adapt to the poor conditions at hand as soon as possible, and Danny Greaves’ side couldn’t play the style of football he’d hoped coming into this game.

As expected, the first 20 minutes was stale with little action and no chances created.

It was Zac Drew with the first chance of the afternoon; the winger looked to tangle his way into the box on the right flank, he took aim inside the box but the shot was saved by Rhomey Ashby-Hammond in the away goal.

Drew again looped the ball over the top to Albie Hopkins, who laid the ball off to Callum Gould, but with the pitch conditions, his effort was scuffed and easily caught by the Willand ‘keeper.

Frome gained some momentum which led to their biggest chance so far.

Gould’s effort from range wasn’t cleared well by Ashby-Hammond as Hopkins slid the ball into the back of the net. However, Pshtiwan Ali, the linesman, raised his flag and called for offside. After an exchange in words with both Ali and Collier, the goal was disallowed.

Daniel Dodimead struck the ball from close range but was cleared away by Ashby-Hammond once again.

First 45 went in Frome’s favour after adapted to the conditions but couldn’t convert the chances to goals.

The Robins came out with fire power after the break; Sam Heal guided the ball with this body into the box; he found Drew in the six-yard box, turned around and cannoned the ball off the crossbar; Ferris found the rebound, but his header was collected by Ashby-Hammond.

Willand’s main priority was to put bodies on the line and ensure Frome did not score, however a rare chance occurred.

Charlie Bateson nodded the ball towards goal but his effort trickled past the post.

It was the number 11 who got the all-important goal for the Dodge; Hopkins was given the ball a touch outside the 18-yard box, he danced his way through the Willand backline and slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Meakes had the chance to wrap the three points up late on, his effort skittled past the Ashby-Hammond, but it didn’t matter as the linesman flag was up once again, a common occurrence for the Frome attackers.

With the three points secured, that game meant something more important than the 90 minutes on the pitch.

MOTM: Albie Hopkins

Report: Thomas Groves

Pictures: Steve McCarthy

Frome’s game on Saturday against Falmouth Town was postponed