Friday, May 18th, 2012
Match Report v Frome Town
The REDS headed down to Somerset looking for their first win in eight games, against newly promoted Frome Town.
Debutant Aaron Stringfellow would start for the REDS at right back in a 4 4 2 formation, with young Connor Deards on loan fromWalsall partnering Joe Harris up front.
It was also a first start of the season for Jake Bedford in goal, as Dean Coleman failed a late fitness test.
It was the REDS who dominated the early exchanges, with neat passing and closing down the opposition at every opportunity, it was no surprise when the visitors took the lead.
Following a corner from the REDS right hand side, it was Cameron Jones who picked up the loose ball, with pinpoint accuracy he stood his cross up at the far post for Tesfa Robinson to head home his first goal of the season after just ten minutes.
This spurred the REDS on and there seemed to be a surge of confidence and belief spreading through the team.
Five minutes later following a long throw from Adam Wood, that caused mayhem in the home team’s back four, the ball eventually found its way out to Brad Bullimore, who produced an excellent cross for young Connor Deards to head home from just inside the six yard box.
The home team looked a threat from set plays and on the counter attack, and it was on 34 minutes when the lively Ballinger reduced the REDS lead cutting inside from the left wing to hit his shot from 25 yards out, that deflected off Robinson’s leg deceiving Bedford in goal.
2nd Half.
It was the home side that came out of the blocks in the second half all guns blazing, forcing the REDS to defend deeper and deeper.
Unable to get out of their half, and having to defend for long periods it seemed inevitable that a second goal for the home team would come.
With the back four caught square, it was Hulbert who found himself through on goal, drilling his shot past Bedford into the bottom corner of the net.
The REDS task was made more difficult, when on 70 minutes Joe Harris was sent off for kicking out when laid on the floor, the referee had no hesitation in reaching into his pocket and showing Harris a straight red card.
The winner came for Frome on 87 minutes, following a cross from their right hand side, which was headed in at the far post by Smith.
In a game that started so promisingly for the REDS it was a disappointing second half display, which saw them leave with no points to show for their efforts.
