Frome Town succumbed to a narrow defeat against Winchester City, with IK Hill’s goal just after the hour mark proving to be the difference between the two sides.
The BA11 side performed below their recent standards, particularly in attack, lacking cohesion and chemistry, while wasting numerous opportunities. Meanwhile the Citizens, who didn’t showcase much quality, grafted from minute one, especially their defensive third, to secure a valuable away win.
Manager Danny Greaves reintroduced James Ollis and Joe O’Loughlin back into the line-up, whilst the suspended Matt Wood missed out, alongside Zak Drew, who had to settle for a place on the bench.
The Robins started brightly, nearly taking the lead within 20 seconds as Ethan Vaughan’s cross found James Ollis, whose powerful header forced a fingertip save from Luke Cairney.
The early momentum continued, and ten minutes later, another Vaughan cross found Ollis, though this time his header was comfortably handled by Cairney.
The visitors had their first significant chance in the 23rd minute, after a needless foul on the edge of the box, the resulting free kick from Thomas Wright was well struck, but matched by a strong save from Kyle Phillips.
Three minutes later, Frome responded with a long ball which Archie Ferris flicked on for Ollis, who drilled the ball across the face of goal, though no one could convert.
O’Loughlin then took matters into his own hands, weaving through four defenders down the left, before cutting in and firing an effort that looked destined for the bottom corner, only for it to be cleared off the line.
The first half ended scrappily, with Rex Mannings and Vaughan both being shown yellow cards just before the break.
Mannings was involved in an early second-half attack, winning a corner which was floated towards Ferris, whose header narrowly missed the target.
Apart from a substitution which saw George Rigg replace Albie Hopkins, the game remained quiet until the 62nd minute, when the travellers took the lead, capitalizing on a mistake from Joe Budd, Wright pounced, threading a neat pass through to Hill, who smartly finished past Phillips at his near post.
From that point on, Winchester were content to sit back, slow the tempo and wind the clock down, meanwhile Frome struggled to create any real danger, lacking the quality and cutting edge needed to force an equaliser.
Even a late red card for Oliver Griggs, who reacted badly to a decision, didn’t help Frome get the breakthrough they needed. Ollis and Hutson had half-chances, but couldn’t find a way past Cairney or avoid the side netting, both of which seemed to haunt Frome all game.
Next up for the Robins, in two weeks, are familiar foes Wimborne Town, Greaves will have plenty of time to get his side ready, and if last season’s encounters are anything to go by, it promises to be a thrilling clash.
Live updates and match report written by Harrison Richards
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