Sat. 18th Sept. FA Cup Frome Town 2 Oxford City 1
Frome caused a significant upset in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup by beating Oxford City of the National League South at Badgers Hill.
First half goals from James Ollis and Joe O’Loughlin set the Robins up for victory, and a dogged defensive performance in the second half restricted the visitors to just a single goal in return.
Oxford City began the game strongly, controlling possession for long spells, and they were unfortunate not to go in front when an effort from Joe Iaciofano was adjudged to have been scored from an offside position by the referee’s assistant.
It was midway through the half that Frome struck. O’Loughlin intelligently headed a cross-field pass into the path of Ollis and the forward did brilliantly to escape his marker and slot a shot into the bottom corner of the net.
The Robins made the most of their good spell, doubling the lead before half-time arrived. This time O’Loughlin found himself on the end of a Rex Mannings pass and thundered a shot beyond goalkeeper Ben Dudzinski.
Oxford City understandably came on strong in the second half, but the Robins had a number of chances to extend their lead on the counter-attack.
Mannings blasted a shot into the side netting from a tight angle, and Jon Davies looked destined to score only for Zico Asare to clear his effort off his own goal-line.
The away side did eventually find a breakthrough when substitute Elliot Benyon rose at the backpost to head past James Carey.
Although Oxford City threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser, heroic defending from the home side stopped them in their tracks, and Carey was rarely called upon to keep the lead intact.
Town has been drawn against National League South neighbours Bath City in Third Round Qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup.
Danny Greaves’ squad will take to the field next against the Romans at Twerton Park on Saturday 2nd October.
Manager Danny Greaves said, “I still have the feeling of immense pride in everyone associated with Frome Town Football Club following Saturday’s well deserved win against a very good Oxford City side who are sitting 4th in the National League South. It was great day on and off the pitch, superb support, a great atmosphere in the ground, and a group of players who gave everything they had for the club and each other.
“We now know our reward is an away tie against another much fancied National League South side in Bath City. We know they are a massive Football Club in the South West region, with a top manager, and a very talented playing squad. The day will be an exciting one for all concerned, as it’s a local derby, it’s the FA Cup, and it will be a great occasion for the club to enjoy. It’s one we will very much look forward to.”
