Bath City Women 1st (0) 1 Frome Town Women (0) 0 – Sunday 5 November 2023 – South West Regional WFL Eastern Division – Twerton Park
Match Report by Finn Harlow.
Libby Goater’s second goal in two games secured Bath City’s victory over local rivals Frome Town.
The forward’s second half strike extended City’s unbeaten run to five and cemented their place in the top four.
In a cagey first half, it took until the 35th minute for the first chance when Tanea Wright’s corner led to Abby Gray’s header being thwarted on the line by Frome full-back Laura Didymus.
Almost immediately after Maisie Harris found herself one-on-one with Sadie Farley but the keeper closed her down quickly and saved with her legs.
Frome had the final opening of the half when Leah Ham’s corner was inadvertently flicked on by Harleigh Curtis, requiring Mils Bellotti to clear off the at the back post.
A set-piece resulted in the opener 11 minutes into the second half.
Bellotti’s delivery wasn’t fully cleared and Goater made half a yard before smashing into the roof of the net from 12 yards.
Frome’s Harris had a goal chalked off for offside on 72 minutes in a rare opening for the Robins after the break.
City’s Hari Sabic and Ashley Harris both warmed Sophie Billet’s gloves with efforts from range before the keeper needed sharp reactions to tip away Amy Key’s shot on the turn as the Stripes grew stronger in the closing stages.
It meant they endured few scares to claim their first clean sheet this term, combined with Frome’s first failure to net.
Att: 116
City’s Line-Up: Farley; Bellotti, Gray, Curtis; Wright, Giles, Harris, Harvey, Taylor; Key, Goater. Subs used: Wells, Sabic, Jefferies, Black, Pearce.
Scorers: City – Goater (56); Frome – none
Referee: Dave Kemmery