Duggan sees red as Robins lose battle for third place
Willand Rovers 1, Frome Town 0
FROME Town narrowly lost 1-0 at Willand in a winner-takes-all encounter for third place in the Toolstation League Premier Division on Saturday.
After a nine match unbeaten run, Frome travelled to third placed Willand Rovers knowing that a win would guarantee third place, a defeat would mean fourth place and a draw would leave them wanting a win at Ilfracombe on the following day to guarantee third place.
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Having won at Badgers Hill early in the season, Willand were also the only team capable of doing the double over Frome this season, so the match effectively became a cup final, with a lot to be played for.
The match started brightly and for the first ten minutes or so, Frome continuously caused Willand trouble in defence as Mark Salter, Joe Gomes and Matt Peters used intelligent running to create half chances, but the scores remained level. As the game settled, Frome looked the side most likely to score, with shots from Peters and Gomes going just wide, but Willand always looking dangerous on the break.
The 31st minute brought one the defining moments of the match as Sam Duggan was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Russell Jee. The decision was hotly disputed as he won the ball cleanly, but was sent off by the referee for jumping into the tackle.
Both sets of supporters felt that the decision was harsh, and that a yellow card would have been a fairer decision.
Frome manager Andy Crabtree was so incensed by the decision that he was sent to the stands for dissent towards the officials soon afterwards.
Willand took the lead in the 41st minute as a pass from Jee found Bailey in the penalty area, and he turned well around Rudge and fired an excellent shot past Fey in the Frome goal.
The second half saw Crabtree immediately bring on Toby Colbourne and the 10 man Frome team took the game to the hosts and were the better side for most of the second half as they continuously searched for the equaliser.
With only a three man defence to cope with the inevitable Willand counter attacks, Frome goalkeeper Richard Fey brought off several excellent low saves in one-on-one situations when all looked lost.
The number of players on each side was equalised in the 72nd minute as Willand's Hill was sent off for dissent which led to a second yellow card.
The last five minutes saw frantic Frome attacks as the big guns were all thrown at the Willand defence, but stout defending and some strange decisions from the officials led to Willand hanging on to their 1-0 lead.
With almost the last kick of the match a dipping 35 yard Gomes volley landed on the roof of the net, which summed the match up - so close.
Jon Crowley was awarded the man-of-the-match for another flawless performance at centre back.
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