The Robins kicked off their pre-season campaign with a tough fixture against National League South side Bath City at Badgers Hill in front of a healthy crowd of 372 people.
With a number first team regulars unavailable, it gave the management a great opportunity to take a look at a number of trialists. The first 30 minutes was a very even affair with both sides enjoying spells of possession, and neither side being allowed to settle due to the high intensity and work rate from both teams.
Bath started to take control of possession as the half wore on, with Frome looking comfortable behind the ball, whilst showing the odd flurry of quick incisive attacks. A Jordan Thomas effort which crashed the post of Kyle Phillip’s goal was the only notable effort for either side.
With the half looking like coming to an end with the scores level, a cross from former Robins Joe Raynes found the head of prolific Coady Cooke to score with the last action of the half.
The second half took a similar pattern to the final 15 minutes of the first half, with Bath feeling the benefits of being slightly ahead in their pre-season campaign.
The BA11 side’s only serious effort of note came in the 55th minute through James Ollis, whose goals could prove so important if Frome are to mount a promotion challenge this season. Ollis was played through on goal with only local boy, and Southampton loanee Ollie Wright to beat, but the big goalkeeper stood up well to save the lobbed effort.
As a number of changes were made by both sides, Bath scored the second and final goal of the game with ex Bristol Rovers star Chris Lines meeting an Elliot Frear cross from the left neatly with a side foot half volley from the 18-yard line, caressing the ball straight into the top right-hand corner of the Frome goal.
Manager Danny Greaves said after the game, “An encouraging first 90 mins. Bath were strong and dominated from 30 mins on, as you would expect as they are steps above and ahead in their pre-season due to kicking off a week earlier. Only one effort at goal for us, but pleasing we were defensively solid, some encouraging individual performances. Lots and lots to work on, but two weeks in, we are in a good place with five players set to return for Saturday.
