Frome fire up the engines in the second half to make it a memorable afternoon of football at the hill

By Susie Watkins

30th Jan 2022 | Local News

It was a red alert at the hill today (January 29) when The Robins fired up their engines in the second half of their game against Bideford to score twice in ten minutes.

Both teams had a battle on against some strong winds in the first half, which saw the North Devon side come up against some powerful boots and making a memorable clash of a pair of sevens.

There was speed and some acrobatics too, but no real fireworks for the 426 strong crowd.

But in the second half up at Badger's Hill it all turned Frome's way, delighting the crowd with two quick goals and a welcome return to form.

At 75 minutes it was Rex Mannings who delighted the crowd, and then

making it so sweet a substitution, Alex Monks put in the second goal at 85 minutes. This leaves Frome Town FC with 50 points on the table and a big and welcome boost going forward.

Man of the Match Frome's Warren Maidment.

This is the official match report from the Club:

After struggling to break down a well-organised opponent for most of the game, late goals from Rex Mannings and Alex Monks ensured the Robins would keep the pressure on Southern League Division One South leaders Cirencester.

In a first half of few chances, James Ollis passed up the best opportunity for the Robins as he failed to connect properly with a Mannings cross and missed the target from close-range.

Even though Mannings regularly made headway down the left flank he constantly found Bideford defender Kai Fisher in the way of his balls into the box, preventing Frome from making the most of the momentum they built as half-time approached.

It was Frome who were grateful for one of their men at the back on the stroke of half-time though, as Warren Maidment was perfectly positioned to clear off his own goal-line after 'keeper James Carey was unable to gather a looping ball into the penalty area.

The Robins maintained their control of the game in the second period, but chances to open the scoring remained hard to come by.

Both Mannings and Jon Davies had a number of efforts from range, but Adam Seedhouse Evans in the Bideford goal was rarely forced to get his gloves dirty.

Frome remained patient in possession and determined in attack though, and they finally found the breakthrough in the 75th minute.

After Ollis held the ball up in the opposition penalty area with some textbook forward play, he knocked the ball into the path of Mannings and the midfielder thumped his shot into the back of the net.

Taking the lead seemed to significantly reduce any pressure the Robins were feeling, allowing them to get back to something like their fluent best for the final 15 minutes or so.

The win was sealed with just five minutes to play as Kane Simpson escaped down the right wing before crossing for fellow substitute Alex Monks to tap home from close range.

The three points means that Frome have moved back to within a point of league leaders Cirencester after they were held to a goalless draw at Sholing.

The Robins are back in action on Tuesday night as they make the trip to Weston-Super-Mare in the Men's Somerset Premier Cup.