Mangotsfield 1-0 Frome Town

First defeat of the pre-season campaign, as the Robins head up north to East Bristol where Mangotsfield host the Wednesday evening fixture.

A rotated lineup chosen by Greaves, Baker, Gould, Maidment and Feltham is not in the starting 11.

Albie Hopkins warming up with a ball.

The first 20 minutes were compact and tight with chances being floated around opposing defences but nothing to change the scoreline.

Not much after the 20th minute had passed, the only goal of the game was scored by the hosts coming from outside the box. The No.16 takes aim, smashing the top left corner, Tylek having no chance.

Frome’s first real chance of the game came from full back Sam Heal. The ball is laid off to him by Hopkins, the No.3, who tests the keeper, needing to make a stop to clear any goal threat. The corner followed up and was lofted onto Teale, who headed down an effort for David Duru to try a bicycle kick at goal. He was too close to the goal as the effort flew over the crossbar.

Our same partnership in defence was linked up in our next attack. Teale crossed the ball from the right-hand side to find Heal, volleys his chance over the crossbar.

Another chance at the end of the half came from our Nigerian striker. Duru is given the ball on the edge of the area. He spins his defender, marks him, takes aim but is just wide of the right post.

The second half occurred and another swapped in between the sticks with Tylek starting the first half, whereas Roberts was given the second 45 minutes.

He was called into action just 5 minutes into his stint, a diving effort on his left saving a certain goal by the Mangotsfield winger.

With Frome piling the pressure on the hosts' defence, Mangotsfield attackers were looking to counter on the break with one chance nearly going into the back of the net. Their No.12 strike from the right fires past the left-hand post.

The majority of the action in this fixture came in the final few minutes. The Robins attack was gasping for an equaliser at the death. Chances were plenty, starting with Hopkins taking aim from distance, needing the goalkeeper to push the ball wide for a corner. Teale has a free header from a corner, who heads it over the bar.

Just another five minutes caused carnage for the hosts' defence. Holliday takes aim and hits the crossbar. Athan's effort off the rebound parries off the goalkeeper. And Ferris scrambled the ball and his shot got blocked from the No.3! Three clear-cut chances but not put away.

There was just time for one more chance for the visitors. Coming from our No.7, Holliday's shot from outside the box needed the ball to be parried over the bar. Ferris had another chance to level the game, but his effort was saved by the man on the sticks.

Next up, a challenging opposition awaits at Badgers Hill for Greaves’ men, with Chippenham heading into Somerset for our first home fixture of the campaign.

Match report and live updates provided by Thomas Groves.

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Listen to the latest episode of the Dodge The Question podcast!

Steve & Zeb with their usual chit-chat and featuring a catch up with Striker, David Duru!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3285hNNKGD5jR2keO0pBuB?si=aec06a2b8d214814

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s02-e03/id1751186747?i=1000717408451

You can also listen on Frome.FM radio every Friday at 5pm (repeated on Saturday 3pm)

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Secure your entry, purchase your season tickets and make the most of the sponsorship and hospitality packages for all of our games at Badgers Hill this season via the link below!

https://www.intix.co.uk/org/frome-town-fc