Sat. 26th October. FA Trophy Thame United 1 Frome Town 2
Frome Town progressed to the next round of the Buildbase FA Trophy with an impressive second half performance against Southern Division One Central side Thame United.
Alex Hallett came into the side in place of suspended Marcus Mapstone, otherwise the team was unchanged from the Cirencester game midweek. The first half was a difficult test, with weather conditions providing an additional challenge to the opposition who were the better side and troubled Frome throughout, restricting the visitors to just 2 shots in the entire 45 minutes. Thame took the lead on the half-hour mark after a series of crosses and corners caused problems in the Frome defence, before the home striker glanced a corner past Brown in the away goal.
Manager Danny Greaves introduced Kane Simpson in place of Chris Peck at half time and the half time “chat” had an immediate effect as Frome took the game to the hosts from kick off and it only took 2 minutes for Rex Mannings to add to his already impressive goal total after Simpson beat 2 or 3 players to deliver a low cross he tapped home with ease.
Frome continued to press and restricted the home side to few chances, whilst forcing their goalkeeper into a string of good saves from Cottle and Mannings who, along with O’Loughlin, were creating plenty down the left hand side. The second goal would just not come and it looked as if a Tuesday night replay in Somerset was on the cards until Mannings scored his second in the third minute of stoppage time, with a low shot that went underneath the previously impressive goalkeeper. Unfortunately he further ruined his day with an awful two-footed lunge on Rob Hobbs in the Frome area as he made his way forward for a last minute corner and earned a red card. Overall, a very satisfying result and into the hat for Monday.
Man of the match Rex Mannings. Attendance 74.
