Sat 29th Jan. Southern League Div One. Att: 426 Frome 2 Bideford 0
FROME got their promotion push back on track with a hard-fought victory against Bideford on Saturday afternoon at Badgers Hill.
After struggling to break down a well-organised opponent for most of the game, late goals from Rex Mannings and Alex Monks ensured the Robins would keep the pressure on Southern League Division One South leaders, Cirencester.
In a first half of few chances, James Ollis passed up the best opportunity for the Robins as he failed to connect properly with a Mannings cross and missed the target from close-range.
Even though Mannings regularly made headway down the left flank he constantly found Bideford defender Kai Fisher in the way of his balls into the box, preventing Frome from making the most of the momentum they built as half-time approached.
It was Frome who were grateful for one of their men at the back on the stroke of half-time though, as Warren Maidment was perfectly positioned to clear off his own goal-line after ‘keeper James Carey was unable to gather a looping ball into the penalty area.
The Robins maintained their control of the game in the second period, but chances to open the scoring remained hard to come by.
Both Mannings and Jon Davies had a number of efforts from range, but Adam Seedhouse Evans in the Bideford goal was rarely forced to get his gloves dirty. Frome remained patient in possession and determined in attack though, and they finally found the breakthrough in the 75th minute.
After Ollis held the ball up in the opposition penalty area with some textbook forward play, he knocked the ball into the path of Mannings and the midfielder thumped his shot into the back of the net.
Taking the lead seemed to significantly reduce any pressure the Robins were feeling, allowing them to get back to something like their fluent best for the final 15 minutes or so.
The win was sealed with just five minutes to play as Kane Simpson escaped down the right wing before crossing for fellow substitute Alex Monks to tap home from close range.
The three points means that Frome have moved back to within a point of league leaders Cirencester, after they were held to a goalless draw at Sholing.
