Robins hold on for thrilling win at Chertsey

Saturday 29th August

Southern League Premier South

Chertsey Town 1-2 Frome Town

Bowerman (91’) / Ferris (37’); Duru (60’)

Frome Town were away in the shadows of Thorpe Park on their trip to Chertsey Town and it certainly was a thriller as the Dodge came away with the all-important three points in a 2-1 victory.

There were spells where the Curfews put the pressure on Frome and around 20 minutes into the match Daniel Berry tried to curl his effort into the far corner from the left and Kyle Phillips produced an excellent save to tip it around the post.

Frome had an opening on 33 minutes when Archie Ferris won the battle up against the Chertsey defender and his header found David Duru down the right flank. Duru went for a first-time strike and it nearly nestled in the top corner but it just clipped the top of crossbar.

The deadlock was broken four minutes later and it was the visitors who struck first at Alwyns Lane. Josh Owers played a brilliant ball into the box from the left and Ferris was on hand to score from six yards.

Going into the second half, the Robins had to sustain a lot of pressure from the hosts. On 54 minutes Phillips cleared the ball only as far as Jahiem Kamara but Harry Lucas, with a crucial goal-saving block, saved a certain equaliser.

That proved to be a vital stop as Frome got their second goal right on the hour mark with a rare counterattack. The ball was played out to the right for Brendan Holmes who hit the post with his effort. Albie Hopkins was quick to pick up the rebound before unselfishly passing to Duru who curled his effort into the far corner to double the advantage.

Sam Meakes also had a chance when he came on to seal the game, he was looking for the top right corner with his right footed effort but it was a whisker over the bar four minutes from the 90.

There was a minimum of five minutes added on and Chertsey halved the deficit in the first minute of added time. A needless free-kick given away right on the edge of the box and substitute Seb Bowerman delivered the ball in and a good header from Lachlan Byrd past Phillips. The home fans were on their feet as they still believed there was time for their side to rescue a point.

Emotions were running high all game but especially deep into added time, and unfortunately there was an altercation late on. Zac Drew had a coming together with Conor Lee and it all seemed to boil over from there. It left the referee with no choice but to give both players their marching orders.

That incident only favoured the home side in a way as it meant a little bit more time was added on but credit to the ten men of Frome who all showed great desire and grit to grind the game out. It was a huge relief when that whistle finally blew for full time with the Dodge picking up a valuable three points on the road.