Despite a spirited performance by Mangotsfield’s very young side, which included no less than 8 teenagers in the starting XI, it was pre-season promotion favourites Frome Town who took all 3 points away from Cossham Street, thanks to a second half strike by Rex Mannings.
There was very little to choose between the sides in the first half. The first goal attempt at either end came on 14 minutes when Mangos’ Harry Simons fired a low shot across the box, missing the far post. The hosts then lost skipper Mircea Ilea to injury, but the Mangos continued to battle well against their more experienced opponents. Chances at either end became few & far between. Home keeper Jakob Glover was commanding in his box & was rarely troubled by the visitors. Frome’s best chance came on 43 minutes when ex-Mangos striker Kane Simpson fired over the bar after receiving a neat through ball, which caught the home defence napping.
HT: 0-0
Mangotsfield started brightly in the 2nd period, with Andre Freckleton’s right wing cross falling just wide of the post (50) and then Jai Semenyo headed a corner just wide of goal with Frome keeper James Carey beaten (52). However, the visitors began to up their game & take control of midfield, the breakthrough coming on 63 minutes when Rex Mannings converted a low cross from the left to fire home from 5 yards. Mangotsfield responded immediately , seeing a shot blocked on the line, but Frome looked dangerous on the break. Kane Simpson should have made it 2-0 on 70 minutes when he was put through down the middle, but home keeper Jakob Glover turned his shot onto the post & the ball was cleared away.
The final 10 minutes could have seen goals at both ends. Mangos’ Marcus Kelly headed a free kick just wide (80), a shot from Harry Symons was saved by James Carey (84) and a wild mis-clearance by a Frome defender bounced off the visitors’ cross bar, but equally, a fierce 20-yard goal-bound strike by Frome’s Joe O’Loughlin was pushed away by Jakob Glover in the home goal. Nonetheless, Frome stood firm to take all 3 points at the final whistle.
FT: Mangotsfield United….0 Frome Town….1

MANGOTSFIELD UNITED: (Sky & Maroon/Sky) (Manager: Glyn Ashton )
G/K. Jakob Glover 2. Andre Freckleton, 3. Wayne Nderemani, 4. Jai Semenyo, 5. Mircia Ilea ©(Jonathan Invernizzi 21) ), 6. Abe Noad, 7. Harry Haughton (Harvey Baker 82), 8. Harry Simons, 9. Todd Carter (George Neill 62), 10. Marcus Kelly, 11. Ben Payne.
Unused subs. Adam Young (G/K).
Bookings: Harry Simons (29)
Red Cards: None
Goals: none

FROME TOWN : (All Red) (Manager: Danny Greaves )
G/K. James Carey, 2. Jack Witcombe (Robert Hobbs 67), 3. Joe O’Loughlin, 4. Sam Teale, 5. Jon Davies, 6. Kane Simpson, 7. Matt Smith (James Ollis 67), 8. Warren Maidment, 9. Rex Mannings (Jake Jackson 83), 10. Alex Monks, 11. Alex Hallett.
Unused subs. Marcus Mapstone, Chris Peck
Bookings: Jack Witcombe (16)
Red Cards: none
Goals: Rex Mannings (63)

Referee: Ian Hawkins, (Radstock, Bath)
Assistants: Owen Brimicombe, Nicholas Whittington, (Romsey, Hants)

The next game at Cossham Street will be the visit of WILLAND ROVERS on Tuesday 6th October 2020. Kick-off 7.45pm