A superb performance from Frome saw them take an early lead through Jake Jackson, generally create the better chances, and, as Weymouth threw everyone up looking for the equaliser, an injury time goal from Darren Jefferies sealed the game.
It is becoming clear this season that the more impossible the task in front of them seems to be, the better this Frome side plays, and against a Weymouth side looking for their seventh straight win, the odds certainly seemed in favour of the home side, especially given their comprehensive 4-1 victory at Frome earlier in the season.
The Frome squad had a familiar look to it with the only change from Saturday’s victory over Basingstoke being Ben Withey starting at right back in place of the absent Kris Miller. With Weymouth fielding two useful ex-Robins in the form of Ben Thomson and Harry Baker and also having much travelled prolific striker, Matt Tubbs, on the bench, the task seemed a tough one.
In the earlier match at Frome between the two sides, Weymouth had scored after just eleven seconds, and thankfully nothing of the sort happened this time. In fact the start of the match saw Frome looking sharp and settled as they dealt with any early Weymouth pressure and started to look dangerous, with several useful looking crosses towards Mitchell Page.
Frome took the lead in the 18th minute as a 25 yard free kick was fumbled by the home keeper, Mark Travers, and as the ball bounced around in the penalty area, Jackson was on hand to bundle the ball home from close range to improve on his impressive record of scoring away goals.
Frome went close again soon after, as Ben Withey ran the length of the pitch to supply a right wing cross that Jackson volleyed just wide from 8 yards. But then Weymouth began to show as first Thomson missed a kick from 10 yards, and then Brendan Goodship was found in space by Josh Wakefield, but he put his shot just wide when he should have scored.
As half time approached, Frome were generally creating more chances and with Page setting up Jon Davies for a shot and Jackson turning and shooting low across the face of the goal, Weymouth seemed to be more reliant on corners and shooting from range, none of which troubled the Frome defence. In fact the half time whistle blew with Phillips almost untested during the entire 45 minutes.
The large crowd of 805 expected a reaction from the home side in the second half, but it didn’t really happen. Frome again seemed to be in control, and with Davies whipping in a cross that just fell behind the line and Jackson bringing a save from Travers, Weymouth were on the back foot more often than Frome.
Frome went close again in the 58th as George Miller thumped the crossbar with a shot from 25 yards, resulting in chances for Page and Jackson as the ball came down, and with the home crowd beginning to get agitated, Weymouth started to bring on substitutes in an attempt to change the game.
However, Frome continued to create the chances and Davies produced a superb ball through to Ollie Knight who just lost out in the 1-on-1 with Mark Travers, as the home keeper made an excellent save. Then in the 75th, Davies went for one of the goals of the season as he spotted Travers off his line and his 40 yard lob only just dropped the wrong side of the post.
Weymouth finally carved out a golden opportunity in the 85th, but Phillips was on hand to produce a great save and with the rebound being put wide, Frome’s supporters were starting to wish that the referee would consider blowing his whistle sooner rather than later.
As Weymouth threw everyone including their goalkeeper up for a corner in the 92nd minute, Phillips produced one of the saves of the season to deny his opposite number, who volleyed from ten yards. In the 94th minute, the similar tactic back-fired as every Weymouth player came into the Frome penalty area, but the ball was cleared to substitute Darren Jefferies who showed remarkable composure to run almost the entire length of the pitch and roll the ball into an empty net – to the delight of the team, management and away supporters.
Frome’s captain Sam Teale was awarded the H&B Tyres Man of the Match Award on a night when the whole team were strong candidates for the award in one of Frome’s best performances ever.
