United head to Somerset tomorrow to contest their Isuzu FA Trophy tie with Frome Town, with a place in the last-32 up for grabs.
Fresh from securing their third successive win against Weymouth on Tuesday evening, Gary Johnson’s men will take on the Southern League outfit in fine form, however they will be up against a side that have already sprung a surprise in this season’s competition, and will therefore have to be on their guard to avoid any repeat of that on Saturday afternoon
Who’s the Boss?
Long-serving manager Danny Greaves, is, like Gulls boss Johnson, enjoying his fifth anniversary season at the same club, having been rewarded for continued progression at Frome with a new deal in the summer.
Danny made his mark in management during two successful seasons at Bradford Town, where he led the side to two consecutive highest finishes in the Western League Premier Division, in addition to an extended run in the FA Vase. Greaves’ stock has continued to rise since his move to Badgers Hill, with last season’s respectable 8th place finish looking to be bettered by their current placing of 3rd in the Southern League Division One South, leaving their just four points behind leaders Wimborne, with four games in hand.
How have they been doing?
League matters aside, The Dodge’s Isuzu FA Trophy exploits have certainly grabbed the local public’s attention in recent months, having secured progress through to this 3rd Round stage thanks to eye-catching victories over Cirencester (3-1), Bemerton Heath Harlequins (3-0), Bishop’s Cleeve (5-1), Cribbs (1-0), and most impressively of all, Worthing (2-2, 4-3 on pens)
Player to Watch
Ross Staley made the switch to Badgers Hill in the summer, after a spell in New Zealand playing for Manurewa AFC.
Beginning his professional career with Bristol Rovers, Staley took in spells with Yate, Gloucester and Hereford, before a move to Taunton saw the talented left-footer play a starring role in the Peacocks’ rise up the footballing pyramid during a six-year spell that saw him make over a century of appearances, with 25 goals to boot.
From there, Ross moved to Australia, where he represented Rockingham City and Eastern Lions, before his spell in New Zealand preceded a return to UK shores.
Played for Both
Callum Evans is one of a select group of players to represent both of tomorrow’s team, with his ten-game loan spell under Gary Owers coming during United’s forgettable 2017/18 season.
A handful of first-team appearances for Barnsley, Macclesfield Town and Forest Green prior to his temporary stint at Plainmoor was followed by a return to Macclesfield, where he would go on to register his only goal as a professional.
Further moves to Port Vale and Bath City followed, before the utility player made the move to Frome in time for 2021/22.
Previous Encounter
Frome Town 1 – 3 Torquay United, Tuesday 27th September 1921, FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay
United have made the trip to Badgers Hill to contest a cup tie before, however the match in question was played over a century ago, back in 1921, just a few months after Torquay Town finally merged with Babbacombe to become the Torquay United side we know today.
Following a closely-fought 1-1 draw at Plainmoor in front of over 2,500 fans, Frome’s efforts were hampered by scheduled opponents Coleford Athletic refusing to reschedule their fixture, meaning that Town were forced to travel back from South Devon before contesting back-to-back matches on consecutive nights upon their return to Somerset.
The Western League Division One Magpies – as Torquay were then known due to their black & white kit – held a one-division advantage over Division Two outfit Frome, and their class, not to mention freshness, eventually told, as they ran out 3-1 winners, thanks to a penalty from Davis and a timely brace from Stuckey.
United’s team that day was as follows: Gartrell, Bovey, Davis, Steer, Pratt, Hilton, Frayn, Evans, Stuckey, Townsend, Lincoln.
Having dispensed of Town, United’s run continued to gather momentum, as the team battled through to the 4th Qualifying Round, where they eventually tasted defeat away (0-1) to a Boscombe side that would later become current Premier League side AFC Bournemouth.
Isuzu FA Trophy | Frome Town v Torquay United | 09/12/23 | KO: 3pm | | TICKETS | Live commentary via Official TUFC Radio available HERE