Robins extend lead at top of league

Sat. 7th Sept. Southern League Div. One Frome Town 3 Barnstaple Town 1

Goals from Rex Mannings, Dan Cottle and Joe O’Loughlin helped The Robins consolidate their lead at the top of the league with a 3-1 at home against Barnstaple Town.

Manager Danny Greaves made two changes to his Robins side ahead of proceedings, as Warren Maidment and Mannings came in for Marcus Mapstone and Rob Hobbs.

There would be a quickfire start from The Robins as they took the lead through Mannings after placing the ball past Steven Oliver with just over a minute on the clock.

Barnstaple dragged themselves back into the game having some of the play in Robins’ territory, but Cottle would give the home side a two-goal lead as he slid and turned the ball home from close range.

A third Robins goal would come through Joe O’Loughlin, as he converted Cottle’s cross to consolidate their lead on the half-hour mark.

The visitors pulled a goal back, after defender Mark Cooper conceded a handball just inside the area, and Barum captain Jack Jenkins duly dispatched the penalty past Rob Brown.

Full debutant Warren Maidment went close to restoring The Robins’ three goal advantage, as his powerful header cannoned off the bar.

The Robins wouldn’t be troubled too much by the Devon side as much of the game was played in the middle of the park as the game petered out to its rather inevitable end.

Frome remain at the summit of the Southern League Division One South as they extended their lead to three points, after six games.