Robins come from behind to clinch point

Sat 5th March. Southern League Div. One. Att: 476. Frome 1 Evesham United 1

FROME came from behind to earn a point against Evesham on Saturday afternoon (5th March), helping them to move clear at the top of the Southern League Division One South table. 

An Alex Monks strike on the hour secured a draw for the Robins, as a spirited second-half performance more than merited a share of the spoils. 

A disappointing first half saw the Robins struggle to get to grips with Evesham’s dynamic midfield duo of Kyle Belmonte and Brandon Smalley. Smalley drove a shot across the face of goal that clipped the far post on its way behind for a goal kick in the opening exchanges, and his driving runs and inventive flicks were difficult for the Frome defence to get to grip with for much of the afternoon. 

Belmonte saw an effort of his own well saved by James Carey moments later, but the pair would not be denied just before the 20-minute mark. 

After Mike Baker had seen his defensive clearance blocked, Smalley picked out an unmarked Belmonte at the far post, and he poked a shot beyond Carey and into the net before the ‘keeper could close him down. 

It took until the 36th minute for Frome to muster any sort of response, with Baker being denied a second goal in a week when his header from a Matt Smith corner was cleared off the line by an Evesham defender. 

The introduction of Jon Davies as a substitute at the interval significantly improved the Robins, and they almost drew level when the forward set up Kane Simpson in the box only to be denied by a scrambling Evesham defence. 

Belmonte came close to doubling his tally after robbing Warren Maidment of possession and rounding Carey, but the defender recovered from his mistake to win possession back and clear the danger. 

That intervention looked all the more important a few minutes later, as after a series of Frome shots were blocked, Monks turned away from his man and picked out the bottom corner with a laser-guided effort from the edge of the box. 

The Robins were in the ascendency following the equaliser, and after both Sam Teale and James Ollis had seen headed efforts kept out by goalkeeper Lewis Clayton, Evesham captain Adam Mace was given his marching orders as he collected two yellow cards for dissent in a matter of minutes. 

As the visitors manned the barricades in an attempt to hold onto a point, Frome began to increase the pressure on Clayton’s goal. 

A breathless moment in the final minute of normal time saw Clayton deny Matt Smith from close-range before Simpson struck the upright from the rebound, as a winning goal seemed destined to arrive. 

The final chance came and went in the dying embers of stoppage time though, as an Ollis cross was turned on to the post by the toe of Davies as the substitute stretched his every sinew. 

Despite failing to secure victory, Frome moved a point clear of nearest rivals Cirencester Town at the top of the league table.