A much better, disciplined performance from Frome Town saw them narrowly lose 2-1 at Redditch, with Redditch getting the winner from a corner after Darren Chitty had saved a 75th minute penalty.
Frome were still unable to field a full strength side with Sam Teale, Jordan Walker, Clayton Green, Kris Miller, Mitchell Page and Mike Bryant all out through injury or suspension, but Connor Roberts slotted in at right back with Marcus Mapstone playing at the centre of defence alongside Nathan Summers.
Frome took a while to get used to the 3G artificial pitch and Redditch could easily have taken an early lead as a free header from a cross went well wide, but as they settled, Aidan Kirby brought a save from Bradley Catlow at the other end.
After Danico Johnson had headed over for the hosts when it looked easier to score, good work from Jon Davies set up Jake Jackson, who was clean through on goal, only to be foiled by Catlow. With Kirby brought down on the edge of the Redditch box, the hosts were a little lucky as the referee produced a yellow card when a red was a distinct possibility.
After Davies had brought a save from Catlow with the resulting free kick, Chitty showed his class as he also saved a Redditch free kick that was heading for the top corner.
As the match continued to flow from end to end, Redditch took the lead with two minutes remaining as Johnson rose well at the far post to head home a deep cross, creating a lead that they held until the half time whistle.
Frome came out brightly at the start of the second half and a Davies shot was deflected over for a corner in the very first attack, but as they went chasing the equaliser, Chitty was called on to make a great save as Redditch counter attacked with pace.
To their credit, Frome equalised in the 73rd minute as Marcus Mapstone found Connor Roberts who broke out of defence down the right and his pin-point cross was touched home by Jake Jackson for a well deserved goal on the balance of play.
However, the lead only lasted two minutes as Nathan Summers was penalised for a dubious push in the penalty area, and just as it seemed that justice had been done as Chitty saved the spot kick, Frome showed their frailty again at defending set pieces and Duane Courtney headed home the resulting corner.
Frome failed to be dis-heartened by this and pressed hard for the equaliser but could never quite carve out a clear cut opportunity. Right at the end Redditch could have added a third as Johnson found himself clean through on goal, only to shoot wide.
Though this match was Frome’s third defeat on the trot, the discipline and spirit showed a marked improvement on previous matches, with not a single yellow card shown to the visiting side.
Connor Roberts was awarded the H&B Tyres Man of the Match award, his second in a row for a sterling performance in defence and also in his attacking play down the wing.
Frome Scorers: Jackson (73). Redditch Scorers: Johnson (43), Courtney (76). Crowd: 260. Entertainment Value: 4/5.
Town game postponed
Sat. 1st October – Evo-Stik Premier Divsion Frome Town vs. Chesham United
FROME Town FC’s fixture on Saturday was postponed due to Chesham United having a FA Cup fixture.
