A much-needed clean sheet led to a relatively comfortable 2-0 win for Frome over Gosport Borough, thanks to a 40th minute goal from Kane Simpson and 52nd minute penalty from Kris Scott, as Frome bounced back from a poor run of form.
Following from the perhaps unexpected midweek defeat at Wimborne, and with Connor Roberts and Ryan Bath due to start suspensions next week, it was important for Frome to stop the rot and stop the unwanted habit of conceding three goals a game, which had become the norm in recent weeks.
With Kris Miller and Sam Teale returning to the side and Marcus Mapstone shrugging off an injury, Danny Greaves was able to shuffle the defence and move Connor Roberts and Ollie Knowles more into midfield. The side had a more substantial feel to it than of late, and with three new signings on the bench in the form of Billy Fletcher, Jonny Gorman and Rex Manning, the side’s evolution continues.
On a beautiful afternoon, the match kicked off with Frome looking the better side and with a Knowles header looping over the bar and a Ryan Bath shot whistling across the face of the Gosport goal, they were definitely looking up for the challenge.
Gosport’s first attempt on goal came in the 15th with an easy shot into the midriff of James Carey and it seemed to inspire them as they moved into a period of possession that then petered away. The game became a midfield battle with neither side really able to dominate, though Gosport were perhaps starting to carve out the odd chink in the Frome armour. Both Patrick Suraci and Tont Lee were able to get through, only to be foiled by good saving tackles.
The benefit of having a winger was demonstrated in the 40th as Kris Miller overlapped on the right and after getting a good break as he went past his marker, he got to the dead ball and pulled back a low hard cross that whistled across the face of goal to allow Kane Simpson an easy tap in at the far post; demonstrating once again, that if you get to the deadball line, you’re half way to scoring a goal.
With Frome leading 1-0 at half time, the second half started evenly, but Frome then made it 2-0 in the 52nd as Miller won a free kick on the right. As the free kick was swung in by Kris Scott, Sam Teale was wrestled to the ground by Harry Medway right in front of the referee, who immediately awarded the penalty. Scott made no mistake from the spot, though with Frome having missed their last three penalties, it came as a huge relief to everyone.
Frome went close again in the 57th as Alex Monks found Bath with a lobbed pass, but the big striker’s shot was deflected for a corner, and with a Knowles interception leading to another Bath shot two minutes later, it was looking like Frome might just go on and extend their lead. However, with Roberts forced to make a goal line clearance in the 60th from Tony Lee, Gosport hadn’t given up yet.
Simpson again went close in the 76th as substitute Rex Mannings found him in space, and only the long legs of Patrick O’Flaherty denied him his second of the match. As the minutes ticked away, Gosport threw everyone up, looking for a way back into the game, but the Frome defence always looked capable of keeping them out. Only in the 88th minute did Carey have to make a save of distinction as he did well at the near post to deny Connor Hoare a late goal.
This was a much better performance from Frome, with the team looking much more settled and composed than in recent weeks, so hopefully the side can go on to improve on their league position in the weeks to come. Frome Town man of the match was Ollie Knowles.
