Frome 1-0 Mousehole
Words: Daniel Tasker
The last time these two teams met was in the play-off semi-final at the end of the 2023/24 season. On that occasion Frome won very comfortably by three goals against a Mousehole team for which the game seemed a match too far after a brilliant first season at this level.
When the teams lined up here their starts to the season were rather contrasted. The Robins had a one hundred percent record in the league and were unbeaten in all competitions. Whilst the Seagulls have a matching record at home, their away form has seen zero return from three away trips.
Bearing in mind those stark statistics it was no surprise that the early exchanges saw the home team well on top. It took the hosts just two minutes to register their first attempt at goal, with a curling effort sailing just inches past the left post of Ollie Chenoweth, and they didn’t stop there, the next few minutes saw numerous shots directed towards Chenoweth’s goal, with no real sign of a Mousehole response.
With the clock hitting the thirteenth minute, the hosts took the lead. A dangerous looking cross from Frome’s David Duru resulted in an attempted clearance from Mousehole captain on the day James Ward. Unfortunately it sailed over the head of Chenoweth and nestled in the back of the net.
The waves of Frome attacks continued but a strong rearguard with Jacob Kevern, making his first start of the season alongside debutant Judah Tawia held them at bay. Whilst the men in blue, Mousehole were sporting a new all navy away kit, stopped the leaks at the back, they could not find a way to trouble the Frome goal.
One nil at the break felt like a good half for the visitors and the home fans were maybe slightly disappointed that a late Duru effort sailed into the car park as a two-goal lead was what they felt they deserved.
Frome had been helped in the first half by a strong wind so there was optimism in the travelling ranks that a change of ends might bring a shift of momentum. As it turned out, the second half, with the sun now out, was a damp squib with few efforts at either end. This could well be the first match in living memory where Mousehole failed to register a shot on target.
The home team huffed and puffed but could not find a way through the thick blue line. Just when they were about to settle for one nil, Mousehole were reduced to ten men when Tallan Mitchell picked up an avoidable second yellow card. This gave the men in red additional impetus but in truth the Seagulls never looked like being breached again.
So another loss on the road but, overall there were many positives. A defensive performance which deserved a draw, this was a step in the right direction for Mousehole on the road and lays down a template for the rest of the season.
