Match Report: Tavistock AFC vs Frome Town

Frome remain top of the table after impressive victory at Tavistock thanks to a brace from Daniel Dodimead and goals from Albie Hopkins and Archie Ferris.

By Luca Sperti

The Lambs came into the clash making one change from the side which were defeated 5-1 at Malvern Town. Forward Ryan White returned to the attack replacing the unavailable Alfie Clark. Another change to the Lambs squad saw the young Stanley Kingdom returned to the bench replacing forward Brad Williams who joined fellow Devonshire side Bideford AFC on Friday.

Moving back into the encounter against Frome, it was no surprise that the away league leaders started the encounter of well. Former Melksham winger Hopkins looked sharp from minute one, with the forward weaving his magic and created a few opportunities in the first knockings. The first big chance of the clash fell to Hopkins in the 10th minute. The former Oxford City attacker cut inside from the flank and smashed a powerful effort which smashed the top of the bar, with Jack Arthur beaten. Luckily for the Lambs defender Josh Baxter reacted quickest to clear the ball to safety.

The away side, who were still on top found it hard to create clear cut chances thanks to the strong midfield from the Lambs which included Callum Watson, who had a excellent game in the middle of the park eventually winning the Lambs man of the match. In the 29th minute the away side had an opening after a ball from Hopkins slipped in Zak Drew. The former Yate man took one touch, before smashing an effort which was hit over the top of Arthur’s bar.

Six minutes later, a big save from former Okehampton goalkeeper Arthur made sure the Lambs were still level. A cross from Drew was pinpoint and met the head of former Larkhall forward Archie Ferris. The physical forwards header was powered towards the goal and was excellent saved by Arthur who clawed the ball away to safety for a corner to the away side. The resulting corner was punched by Arthur who eventually went down and received brief treatment before the resulting corner, which was then cleared by the Lambs.

In the 44th minute the Lambs had their first chance of the encounter with a cross from Ben Cross finding talisman Jack Crago. The former Helston mans powerful effort was saved well by Robins captain Kyle Phillips. A minute later and just before the half-time whistle, the away side took the lead. A freekick whipped in by George Dowling, was cleared poorly by the Lambs with the ball falling to former Bristol Manor Farm man Dodimead. The diminutive winger took a touch before poking the ball under Arthur, for his first goal for the Robins.

In the second minute of added time, the hosts had a chance for a second after a cross from Sam Heal was just inches away from finding Harris at the back post. The former Taunton man was unmarked at the back post and would have surely flicked the ball home for his clubs second. However the thirty travelling Frome fans didn’t have to wait long for a second as in the fourth minute of first-half added time it was two. Hopkins once again picked the ball up in a dangerous position, before cutting inside. The forward smashed a powerful shot which took a wicked deflection and flew past the helpless Arthur. Not long later the Referee blew for Half-Time with the two quick goals helping their grip in controlling the game.

In the second-half it was once again the visitors who took control of the encounter. In the 53rd minute a chance for the away side saw Dowling smash a powerful volley. The former Bristol City mans effort was saved expertly by Arthur, who was having an excellent game in the Lambs net. Six minute later the away side grabbed a third and wrapped up the encounter, with Dodimead grabbing his second of an impressive performance. Hopkins once again ran down the flank before putting the ball across the box. The ball was picked up by a Lambs man but was cleared poor with the ball falling to Dodimead, who smashed home his brace leaving Arthur with no chance.

In the 64th minute, a double sub for the away side saw Theo Llewellyn and Callum Gould replace Harry Lucas and Dowling. Three minutes later saw Jacob Bowker replaced for the Lambs with young Elis Aldrich taking his place. Two minutes later the away side grabbed another. A cross from the impressive Hopkins deflected into the path of Ferris, with the ball cannoning of the forward and rolling into the net. The strike was the forward 10th of an impressive league season infront of goal.

Not long later in the 72nd minute Ferris was replaced with former Cribbs and Taunton forward David Duru coming on for the forward. The Lambs didn’t let the four goal bring them down with Stuart Henderson side still looking for a consolation. In the 84th minute a chance for the hosts saw former Willand man Tom Chastey smash an effort from distance which was caught well by Phillips. Three minutes later Phillips had to be on his toes to save a powerful effort from Crago, with the wingers effort saved well by the Frome Club-Captain.

After a little bit of additional time the Referee blew for the Full-time whistle with the Frome players and fans delighted after another excellent performance. The Robins are next in action on Saturday as they welcome Exmouth Town to Badgers Hill. Tavi remain bottom of the table and will be looking to break their losing streak with a win away at Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.

Lineups:

Tavistock AFC:
Arthur, Cross, Wright, Baxter, Watson, Bowker (Aldrich 67), Fowles, White, Crago, Chastey, Lindsell

Frome Town:
Phillips, Lucas (Llewellyn 64), Heal, Dowling (Gould 64), Ferris (Duru 72) Drew, Hopkins, Holmes, Maidment, Feltham, Dodimead