FROME Town pulled off one of the comebacks of the season, edging out local rivals Westbury. After finding themselves two goals down at the break, a last-gasp Jon Davies free-kick completed the unthinkable after a crazy game that had everything.
Davies also helped to cut the deficit to one just after the break, while Sam Meakes equalised towards the end, coming off the bench and impressing, before Davies sent the crowd quite literally on to the pitch with his last-minute winner.
However, it wasn’t plain sailing for the Robins at all, with so much on the line in terms of bragging rights, it was a game neither side wanted to lose, but one they both so desperately wanted to win.
Frome nearly had the perfect start when Sam Teale found James Ollis in behind. He beat the keeper to the ball, lifting it over him on the stretch, but unfortunately it didn’t have enough on it and Westbury cleared before it could cross the line.
Despite Frome dominating possession and having the better chances, it was the home side who were on the scoreboard first, in the 25th minute, after working a corner well, it fell to Harvey Flippance who side footed past Kyle Phillips.
The Robins worked hard to find a way back into the game but were denied by a stern Westbury defence, with Sam Heal having a shot blocked in the 35th minute after a corner was barely tipped out by keeper Jonathan Hill.
Then in the 41st minute, after a few late challenges in quick succession from either team, the decision went the way of the home side, which saw Ollis get booked, Westbury made it two through Jasper Jones.
After the free-kick was worked down the right, he saw the ball bounce delightfully for him, before he fired a shot from some 20+ yards out, giving the Robins a mountain to climb. Teale nearly halved the deficit just before the break but he could only head Davies corner over the bar.
At the interval Frome made a change, Kane Simpson entered in place of Will Taylor, giving Frome a bit more energy up top, helping them come out of the blocks fast, while Westbury sat in one for the majority, and they were punished early on.
In the 51st minute, a ball over the top found Ollis, who managed to play it across the face of goal for Davies, who finished into an empty net.
Westbury stayed in their low block, trying to protect what they had, and it frustrated the Frome attack who struggled to create anything clear cut, however a red card in the 81st minute turned the game on its head.
A lot was said through the match, with a whole host of yellow cards being dished out by referee Dale Wootton; however Sean Keet took it too far, and he was given his marching orders.
Sam Meakes, who was subbed on just before the incident, made a huge impact off the bench, working hard as he always does. He got a deserved goal in the 83rd minute, after he was played through, he slotted past the keeper calmly, giving his side real belief that they could win it.
And win it they did. It seemed like it was going to take a bit of magic and that is exactly what Davies provided in the 95th minute.
After Ollis won a free-kick around 25 yards out, Davies took responsibility, and on his 250th appearance for the club, he sent the free-kick perfectly into the top corner, sending the travelling supporters and everyone associated with the club into raptures. You really can’t beat non-league football.
Match report by Harrison Richards.
