Frome’s frustrating run of form continued with another defeat, beaten by the odd goal in an entertaining 3-2 game against Wimborne Town. With both teams sitting at the lower end of the table and in need of points, a hotly-contested game was expected.
With both first choice centre backs absent, Frome began with Ollie Knowles and Conor McCormack starting. Wimborne had the early pressure although Frome won a succession of early corners without creating a clear cut chance. James Carey in the Frome goal made an early save as Holmes broke one-on-one and shortly after, another effort for the hosts was easily claimed. Wimborne took the lead from a corner in the 17th minute when the defender arrived at the back of the penalty area to head home and spurned another couple of chances just afterwards.
Frome attempted to get back into the game. A Simpson shot was deflected for a corner, then Demkiv shot over the bar. A free kick was awarded as Simpson broke, but was easy for the goalkeeper. Demkiv then provided a great cross from the left that was not converted. Wimborne continued to look dangerous on their quick breaks with the goalkeeper’s distribution outstanding and their second goal came in the 33rd minute after a mix-up in the Frome defence delivered the ball to Holmes on the 6 yard line and he doesn’t miss those.
Ryan Bath scored a superb goal in the 35th minute, turning the defender and firing a left foot drive into the top corner from range. This resulted in Wimborne stepping up the pressure but Frome stood firm to go in 2-1 down at half time. Joe O’Loughlin replaced the injured Conor McCormack at the interval.
Playing down the slope in the second half Frome started brightly but, as has been common of late, the finishing was wayward. Wimborne had a penalty appeal turned down in the 53rd minute but as the ball was half cleared, Burbidge drove home from the edge of the area to make it 3-1. Dan Whitley replaced Josh Brace as Frome threw everything forward and on 56 minutes, Simpson and Bath combined to release Kris Scott, who beat the goalkeeper to make it 3-2.
The game was pretty much end-to-end now, with Frome constantly probing for an equaliser and Wimborne breaking dangerously. a succession of free kicks and corners again came to nothing. Bath put another chance over the bar and a Monks shot on target unfortunately hit Kris Scott. Knowles headed wide from a corner just afterwards. Connor Roberts received his second yellow card in the 88th minute and was sent off before the game erupted in injury time.
Dan Whitley was cynically chopped down as Frome broke with a tackle that was never going to be anything other than a red card. Unfortunately everyone else got involved and Ryan Bath also received a straight red card for his part in it. Frome were unable to find the equaliser despite their second half possession and it ended 3-2.
Frome Town man of the match was Ryan Bath.
