FOOTBALL: Taunton beat Frome in FA Trophy (From This is The West Country)

FOOTBALL: Taunton beat Frome in FA Trophy

1:17pm Sunday 30th September 2012 in Sport

AN Owen Irish goal handed Taunton Town a 1-0 victory at Frome Town yesterday and with it a passage into the next round of the FA Trophy, writes Andy Power.

This was the Peacocks' their first win in the competition for five years since they came away from Godalming Town with a 2-1 win in October 2007.

The divisional gap between the sides was never evident as the Evo-Stik Southern Premier side struggled to create a chance against a resolute Town defence in which centre halves Ben Mammola and recent signing Gary Saunders, along with full backs Dave Hambly and Irish, were outstanding.

In a featureless opening to the game, Frome enjoyed the majority of possession but failed to manufacture any sort of opportunity.

Their new recruit Dave Gilroy blazed a rare shooting chance high and wide while for Taunton Rodney Marsh had a shot blocked after being set up by Neil Peek.

Marsh then made ground before launching a fierce drive which Darren Chitty turned aside for a corner.

Taunton snatched the all-important goal on 27 minutes when Peek’s long throw from the right found Irish outjumping Chitty to nod the ball into the net.

Frome tried to respond but Matt Smith fired wildly over the top and Gilroy’s volley across Connor Sidley-Adams was cleared by Rob Norrish.

After the break Town threatened to add to their tally. Marsh won the ball and set up Craig Herrod but he shot wide from a decent position, and Herrod returned the favour with a pass to release Marsh whose shot across goal just evaded the onrushing Peek.

The hosts upped the pressure as they searched for the leveller which signalled a period of activity in the Taunton box, with Alex Lapham’s shot being deflected over and another attempt on goal being blocked by Irish.

Sidley-Adams comfortably held Nat Auckland’s header whilst Andy Robertson fired a free kick over at the other end.

Ultimately Town held firm and deservedly progressed, nearly putting the icing on the cake with a second goal in the final stages. Herrod charged down a defensive clearance and set up Marsh whose left-footed shot across Chitty was thwarted by the keeper’s fingertips.

Taunton: Connor Sidley-Adams, Owen Irish, Dave Hambly, Gary Saunders, Ben Mammola, Rob Norrish, Craig Mawford (Joe Dakwa 72), Andy Robertson (captain), Neil Peek (Raith Plant 85), Rodney Marsh, Craig Herrod . Unused subs: Tom Hopkins, Jamie Short, Corey Lewis.

Frome: Darren Chitty, Dave Thompson, Mark Cooper, Ryan Bennett (Darren Jefferies 67), Tom Evans, Alex Lapham (captain), Matt Smith, Nat Auckland, Lewis Powell, Dave Gilroy (Claudio Herbert 75), Ben Wood. Unused subs: Dean Flockton, Aaron Ledgister, Ed Quelch.

Referee: Christopher Wade (Southampton).

Assistants: Paul Wright (Southampton), Anthony Welsh (Amesbury).

Attendance: 131.