Sat. 9th February. Evo-Stik Southern Premier. Gosport Borough 3 Frome Town 1
A brace from Gosport Borough’s Ryan Pennery sank Frome Town further into relegation trouble, as they fell to a 3-1 defeat.
The first chance of this crucial Southern League clash fell to Boro’s Pennery on nine minutes, but his fierce shot was well-saved by Frome ‘keeper Rob Brown.
The hosts took control of the possession of the next spell of the first half and George Barker had a penalty shout waved away by referee Greg Walker.
The Robins had their first sight on goal after Kris Miller was perfectly set up by Tom Mehew’s through ball, but his shot was easily palmed away by Patrick O’Flaherty.
Pennery warmed the hands of Brown once again but it was easily saved; it would be the last chance of an uneventful 45 minutes at Privett Park
The score remained deadlocked as we passed the hour mark, neither side were able to get a stranglehold on a game which would be vital to both sides’ survival credentials.
Parity was finally broken on 65 minutes when Pennery bundled home from close range to give the hosts the lead.
Gosport and Pennery would get their second with five minutes, after he rounded Brown and slotted the ball into an empty net.
Several substitutions followed which disrupted the flow of the game, but Patrick Suraci and Boro were able to take advantage and a three-goal lead on 78 minutes.
Josh Morgan-Williams scored a consolation for The Robins, but it wouldn’t be enough as they were consigned to another damaging defeat.
Frome Town manager Danny Greaves had no complaints after the final whistle, as his side were well beaten.
Greaves said, “As good as we were against Swindon Supermarine in our last game, we were the complete opposite end of the scale (at Gosport). We were second best in all departments and I can have no complaints about the result.
“We weren’t helped by the fact that we had 2 experienced players call in unavailable on the morning of the game, which not only meant we had to make 2 enforced changes to a winning side, but also meant we have to play a number of players out of position to fill in.
“To be honest, that has summed up our season to date. Inconsistent performances and inconsistencies in availability and selection.”