MATCH REPORT: Purnell Sports 1, Frome Collegians 2
Brian Sprake chose the perfect time to score his first goal of the season as he earned Frome Collegians a fifth straight win, maintaining their challenge for a top-three finish in Somerset County League Division 1.
With a strong wind blowing down the pitch, both sides found it difficult to adjust to the conditions. Collegians started with the elements in their favour and camped inside the Purnell Sports half for the majority of the first period.
However, they were unable to mount any serious threat on the home goal as too often the ball ran away harmlessly for goal kicks or into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Purnells made them pay with a goal midway through the half, breaking to good effect from a Collegians corner and outsprinting the last line of defence to shoot past goalkeeper Schlesinger.
On the stroke of half-time, Collegians forced an equaliser when a Rustell shot broke to Luke Nolan, who turned and scored from six yards out.
Purnells drove the ball forward at every opportunity in the second half as they looked to capitalise on the elements in their favour. Schlesinger saved well from a right-foot volley and again at his near post as he palmed the ball away for a corner.
Luke Oakes broke free at the other end and rounded the keeper but was forced wide, enabling the defence to recover and avert the danger.
Collegians enjoyed better possession against the wind and Josh Harrington produced a couple of dangerous crosses from the left.
With 15 minutes remaining, Collegians forced a corner and Sprake hesitated before eventually deciding to come forward. He timed his run to perfection though, arriving at the near post to head home from close range.
Purnells wasted a chance to equalise from a free-kick, while Oakes was denied by the keeper at the other end as Collegians saw out the victory.
Collegians, sponsored by CH Contracting, host Cleeve West Town on Saturday (3pm) and Purnells on Tuesday (6.30pm).Frome Collegians 4, Keynsham Town Res 0
Frome Collegians proved too strong for Keynsham Town Reserves as they powered to a four-goal victory last week.
They were set on their way by a penalty after ten minutes when Josh Harrington was pushed in the box and James Hounsell stepped up to confidently dispatch the spot-kick.
Keynsham forced a couple of corners but were subdued by the Collegians defence and it was Hounsell who slid a superb through ball inside the full-back for Luke Oakes double the lead.
The home side dominated the second period and played some fluent football. After missing a couple of chances, they effectively sealed the game when Jake Harrington curled over a teasing cross and Josh Harrington headed powerfully into the top corner.
Home keeper James Schlesinger was largely untroubled in the game but had an escape when a Keynsham shot was cleared off the line.
The gloss was added to a fine win when Luke Nolan surged into the penalty area and forced the ball past the keeper with a calm finish.
