Frome Win Friday Night Derby

The weekend’s action began on Friday evening with the derby in the Pitching In Southern League Division One South between Frome Town and Westbury United at Badgers Hill.

Despite it being a miserable wet night, a terrific crowd of 866 turned up to see what turned out to be a fairly comfortable win for the hosts and move them up to fourth place in the table, albeit maybe only for 24 hours.

Westbury started the game well but posed little threat in attack, although Steve Hulbert came close with an 11th-minute header.

But on 10 minutes later, Frome had the lead when a Ben Starr cross was converted by James Ollis.

Home goalkeeper Kyle Phillips saved well from Harry Flippance in the 33rd minute but the hosts held on to that single-goal lead at the break.

Just 2 minutes into the second half though, Westbury had a great chance to level when they were awarded a penalty when Jack Witcombe’s challenge on the edge of the area was deemed to have been a yellow card offence when he appeared to be the last man.

In the ensuing fracas, Westbury’s player-manager Ricky Hulbert, a former Frome player, was sent-off for disputing the decision.

However, Phillips preserved Frome’s lead when he saved Ryan Bole’s spot-kick and then produced another terrific save from Charlie Walton’s follow-up.

On the hour-mark, the ten-men buckled and Ollis doubled his and the home side’s lead from close range.

The points were secured with a third goal 12 minutes from time when a free-kick was converted at the far post by George Rigg.