FROME TOWN 2 PAULTON ROVERS 0

Rovers’ poor away form continued with a disappointing defeat and performance against local rivals Frome Town.

They began well enough looking the more adventurous in the opening exchanges without ever really threatening Frome’s keeper and skipper, Darren Chitty, something that was to be all too apparent throughout the game.

On a soft pitch, in a strong wind and with blustery showers neat passing football was always going to be difficult and it felt that set pieces could well be the key to the game and so it proved. Rovers conceded a string of needless free kicks but the one on 40 minutes was to prove pivotal.

Brandon Barnes was adjudged to have fouled Frome full back, Chris Miller, wide on the right and Aaron Rodriguez sent over a perfect, left footed free kick, which Lewis Haldane neatly headed across goal and into the far bottom corner of the net.

Overall the first half was a scrappy and dull affair but the second began in sharp contrast as at one end the hosts spurned a great chance to double their lead. Few would argue with the match sponsors choice of Ben Thomson as Man of the Match and he was unlucky not to add to his tally after Rovers’ skipper, Scott Brice produced a remarkable goal line clearance with Phillips beaten. Rovers then broke quickly and Jon Davies forced a great save from Chitty, his only real test of the evening.

However the home side did not have to wait too long to extend their advantage as on 53 minutes they won a corner from the left and from which the ball fell nicely to Thomson some 10 yards out who drilled the ball past visiting keeper, Kyle Phillips.

He then produced a great run cutting in from the right, ghosting far too easily past two Rovers’ defenders before firing well over the bar. Rovers manager, Nick Bunyard, rung the changes both in terms of personnel and formation but to no avail.

Frome thoroughly deserved what could prove to be three vital points come next April whereas for Rovers the only consolation was that for once the pointless journey home was a mercifully short one.

Teams:
Town: Darren Chitty (Capt), Kris Miller, Mark Cooper, Rhys Baggridge, Jack Vallis, Brandon Munday, Ben Worlock, Ricky Hulbert, Lewis Haldane, Ben Thomson, Aaron Rodriguez.
Subs not used: Dylan Bonella, Josh Klein-Davies, Omar Simpson, Jack Twyford, Cameron brown.

Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Ben Lacey, Sam Teale, Jordy Nkunga (Clayton Green 63 mins) Scott Brice (Capt), Brandon Barnes, Dean Evans, Ashley Williams (Stuart Tovey 75 mins), Scott Wilson, Jon Davies, Darren Jefferies (Mike Bryant 57 mins).
Subs not used: Elliott Gibbons, Josh Jeffries.

Referee: Robert Cockle Assts: Brian Lee / Alistair Francis

Attendance: 205 Man of the Match: Ben Thomson (Frome Town)