Frome Town fought back in tough conditions to obtain an honourable point against Walton & Hersham.
James Ollis got his side off to a perfect start, finding the net within the first two minutes before the visitors pegged The Robins back with a goal in both halves.
However it was substitute Curtis Hutson who rescued a point for the BA11 side in the 87th minute, smashing a rebound home, meaning the first ever meeting between the two sides would end as a ‘Desmond.’
With an injury crisis affecting the club, some new faces were needed to make up the numbers. Jac Poffley and Kynan Murchison were both introduced to the squad that evening, with the former starting at the back and putting a shift in, whilst the latter had to settle for a place on the bench. Other than that, Frome were unchanged.
It was the quick start that the hosts had been searching for in their last few games, with a ball down the right being squared perfectly for Ollis who was able to poke home from close range.
Despite getting that early goal, Frome really failed to build on the rapid start, allowing the Swans to settle with a large share of possession after the goal and Julian Eccleston nearly punished them in the tenth minute, sprinting down the right hand side, he played a low cross, but pulled it just behind the attacker and Frome were able to clear.
It didn’t take them long to get that equaliser, however, as Dawid Rogalski found Nana Owusu free down the middle and the attacker made no mistake, slotting his shot past Kyle Phillips.
Frome almost restored the lead immediately, as Ollis found himself down the right-hand side, but could only find the side netting with his strike.
The remainder of the half was evenly contested, the travellers did go close in the 32nd minute, when Jordan Esprit’s strike on goal took a subtle deflection and went just a whisker wide.
They went close again in the 39th minute, Joey Jones stung Phillips’ gloves and with the keeper unable to hold on, the ball fell to Johl Powell, but he failed to convert.
Walton & Hersham then came out from the break on top with Thomas Olyott’s thumping strike in the 51st minute which skimmed just wide of the right hand post.
The visitors then thought they took the lead after Jones tapped home from a free-kick, but he was denied by the linesman’s flag, a let off for Frome who failed to clear their lines.
And even though the warning signs were there with the disallowed goal, Frome didn’t learn as from another set-piece a scramble followed and late reactions led to Esprit tapping home from close range, much to the frustration of the management team.
However what would have been satisfying for them was the response from the players, with substitutes Albie Hopkins and Hutson providing something different when they came on.
And it was those two who combined for the equaliser, Hopkins’ free-kick was floated towards Sam Teale who managed to knock it across with the ball falling to Rex Mannings, his shot was blocked but it fell only as far as Hutson who finished from close range, to earn the BA11 side a deserved point.
The games are coming thick and fast and they don’t get any easier as we cross the border to face Welsh outfit Merthyr Town on Saturday.
Live updates and match reports written by Harrison Richards
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Yet another blood, sweat & tears performance from the boys who have worked themselves to a near standstill over the last two home game for what seems a very paltry one point!
W&H were a very decent footballing side and a draw was definitely a fair result. That second win of the season is proving to be very elusive.? However, there's no doubt now that the side can compete at this level. Hopefully we can get enough points to stay up.
Last night there were a lot of good performances. Monksie and Tealy were superb . Woody wasn't far behind and young Jac Pottley. did very well at right back. Our two subs - Albie & Curtis combined for o…