Promotion secured after play-off win
Frome Town secured promotion to the Southern League Premier Division South in style as they defeated Bristol Manor Farm in Monday’s play-off final.
A first half Sam Teale header and a brace from Kane Simpson in the second period proved enough as the Robins lifted the trophy come the end of the 90 minutes.
Despite suffering an early setback, Frome’s character, resilience and determination were once again on display as they battled through to reach step three football for the first time since the 2018/19 season.
Frome needed two late goals to salvage a point against Manor Farm in the final league game of the campaign to protect the Robins’ home record this season, and another 2,235 were in attendance at Badgers Hill for this occasion - the highest number since 1969.
It was the visitors though who were quickest out of the blocks, enjoying the first shot of the game in the third minute through Jayden Nielsen which was blocked.
The deadlock was then broken in the 11th minute when Pierce Mitchell went down with what looked a bad hamstring injury which allowed Nielsen the chance
■ to run into acres of space before sending a low cross towards Ben Bament to tap into an empty net.
Matt Wood came on to replace the stricken Mitchell, and largely dealt with any pressure magnificently.
Frome overcame this setback and slowly began to assert their dominance. On 20 minutes, goalkeeper Kyle Phillips spread a stunning ball to Sam Heal, whose cross was blocked for a corner which would lead to the equaliser. Matt Smith’s peach of a delivery found the head of Teale to bury it into the corner.
From there, it was all Frome and they nearly turned the games on its head just after the half hour mark when Warren Maidment’s longthrow was returned to him to cross for Simpson who controlled the ball at the back post before volleying wildly off target.
The remainder of the first half proved scrappy, with plenty of fouls. Heal’s free-kick almost caught Seth Locke out who regathered at the third attempt, before Nielsen’s set-piece at the other end was collected by Phillips as it remained level at the break.
The start of the second period continued in the same fashion. After Brain’s free-kick was blocked by Ollis’ face, Frome regained control as the referee played a good advantage for a foul on Smith and Simpson hit the outside of the post.
The onslaught continued as Simpson clipped a cross to Ollis at the back post, but his effort was over.
The deserved goal finally came in the 65th minute when Teale was tripped in the box and, although Zak Drew’s penalty was well saved by Locke, a second corner following the spot-kick led to a scramble which saw Simpson smash home.
It was 3-1 soon after when Simpson took advantage from a mix up at the back and slotted home to all but secure the promotion.
Manor Farm didn’t give up and had a few opportunities to pull a goal back. Jamie Adams’ effort was beaten by Phillips with five minutes remaining, before Bament sent his effort over as the clock reached added time. Phillips was alert to stop Nielsen as Frome secured the win.
The Robins had reached Monday’s play-off showpiece with victory over Mousehole last Wednesday in the semi finals. An Ollis brace, alongside a Simpson strike in the first half saw Frome win 3-0 despite a second half red card for George Rigg.
■ WESTERN LEAGUE Welton Rovers’ one season stay in the Premier Division could potentially come to an end after they received a points deduction ahead of their final game of the season.
Monday’s 5-0 defeat at St Blazey rounded off a difficult campaign both on and off the pitch for Welton, who, unless the Western League decide to redistribute the league numbers given the four team difference between the divisions, will return to Division One next season following a 17th-place finish.
The club have also announced that chairman Malcolm Price has decided to retire and step down from his duties on medical advice. In the next couple of months, he will be handing over his duties to the club replacement officers, having been a director at Welton for over 50 years.
The club have issued their thanks for Malcolm’s long, committed service.
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE Chilcompton Sports retained the Premier/Division One Cup on Tuesday night following a narrow 2-1 win over Nailsea United.
Having taken a 2-0 lead, Chili were pegged back before half-time. With no goals in the second period, Chili were able to hold and secure the title once more.
The Premier Division runnersup ended their league campaign with a big 6-2 win at Ilminster Town last Thursday.
Will Hailston and Jed Parfitt were both at the double for Chili, alongside goals from Harry Barter and Ryan Gay.
Westfield have been relegated from Division One after their season ended with a 3-0 defeat at
Peasedown Miners Welfare. Joe Gurner, Perry Lewis and Max Rogers all scored for the Miners, who narrowly missed out on promotion after finishing fourth.
Already relegated Radstock Town Reserves managed to hold hosts Clevedon United Reserves to a 1-1 draw last Thursday in Division Two. Kieran Burpitt scored the Miners’ goal.
That was followed by a 6-1 defeat at Congresbury on Saturday, which saw Connor Musgrove sent off for Radstock after picking up a second bookable offence.
Welton Rovers Reserves managed four points from their Bank Holiday games this weekend. They also played out a 1-1 draw on Monday with Clevedon, after beating Bishops Lydeard Reserves 4-1 on Saturday.
Cam Valley are safe from relegation this season, despite losing 3-0 at Hutton on Monday. Goals from Ross Davis and Jacob Mitchell had seen Cam to a 2-1 win at bottom side Banwell at the weekend.
A narrow 2-1 defeat at fellow promotion rivals Fry Club Reserves has set up a nervy finale for Peasedown Albion this weekend. The loss leaves Peasedown three points behind third-place Frys, who have completed their league matches and have a much worse goal difference than both Peasedown and Winscombe.
Winscombe, who are level on points with Peasedown, have a one goal advantage in the differences, leaving Peasedown needing to better Winscombe’s score on Saturday to secure that third and final promotion spot.
In contrast, bottom side Tunley Athletic completed a winless campaign with two defeat across the weekend. After losing 9-1 at home to champions Sporting Weston, despite a goal for Bradley Blackmore, Tunley were also beaten 2-1 by Draycott. Substitute Samuel Tyler scored the Tunley goal on Monday.
Bishop Sutton Reserves were edged out by the same score at home to runners-up St George Easton in Gordano on Saturday. Alfie Maddern scored the Sutton strike. ■ MID SOMERSET LEAGUE Division Two champions Pensford were afforded safe passage through to the final of the Morland Cup after receiving an away walkover from Mells & Vobster Reserves on Saturday.
They will now meet Glastonbury Reserves in Saturday’s showpiece at Peasedown St John Cricket Club, after Glastonbury held their nerve in a penalty shoot-out to see off hosts Coleford Athletic Reserves.
The sides had played out a 1-1 draw before Glastonbury won 3-2 on spot-kicks.
In the Premier Division, Jack Davis scored a hat-trick for Coleford Athletic as they overcame Evercreech Rovers 4-1. Daniel Reynolds also scored for the third place side.
Haydon Sports
at Wells City A.
Peasedown Albion Reserves
crashed out of the Brian Wells Charity Cup last Wednesday after losing 10-4 at home to Division One champions Shepton Mallet Reserves.
On Tuesday, Coleford Athletic edged through to the semi finals with a 3-2 win over High Littleton on Tuesday.
Goals from Jack Davis, Charlie Hall and John Hansford cancelled out Littleton’s strikes from Harry Hammond and Taylor Parfitt saw Coleford set up a final four tie with Westfield Reserves on Tuesday Westfield were beaten 7-1 at Premier Division champions Wells City A in midweek
In the Wilmott Cup, Westfield A
secured their second-place finish in Group B with a 5-3 win at Coleford Athletic Reserves. Matthew Tout scored twice for Westfield, while Sol Lansdown and Archie Tamblyn were also amongst the goals to cancel out Coleford strikes from Stuart Button, Tommy Kennedy and Christopher Thorner.
On Tuesday, Chilcompton Sports A offered Glastonbury Reserves a home walkover to leave Glastonbury a point behind Group A second-place Chilcompton United ahead of their final showdown on Saturday. were beaten 5-1