RED INSURE CUP: All to play for as unlucky Robins concede a first-leg deficit
12:00pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in Latest Sport News By Dan Barnes
DARREN Perrin reckons that the true Red Insure Cup final will rear its head when his Frome Town side welcome Arlesey Town to Badgers Hill for the second leg next month.
The Robins will go looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit on April 9 after they were edged out in a cagey encounter in Bedfordshire on Tuesday night.
Defender Josh Brigham had a first-half penalty saved by home keeper Nathan Abbey before Chris Dillon gave Arlesey the advantage early in the second period.
“It’s intriguingly-poised and I don’t really know how we’ve ended up losing the game.
“Their keeper had to make three or four magnificent saves,” said Frome boss Perrin.
“We didn’t get the away goal that we wanted and it was a cautious game because we didn’t want to go too gung ho and Arlesey were worried about conceding a goal.
“But we’re still in tie and I think the real final will be when they come to Frome on April 9. I’m sure the atmosphere will be fantastic.”
Frome’s trip to Hemel Hempstead Town last weekend was rained off and Perrin thinks that upcoming matches against Kettering Town, Bideford and Bedworth United could go a long way to deciding his side’s fate in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division.
“The next two weeks could end up being season-defining for us but there’s no point worrying about it because that translates to the players – we’re looking forward to them,” said Perrin.
“We’re in this position because of ourselves and it’s up to myself, the players, the club and the supporters to make sure that we don’t finish in the bottom two.
“We’ve been playing well recently and I’m still confident that we’re good enough to do it.”
The Frome chief is also hoping to hold on to the services of young winger Jordan Copp after the club received a seven-day approach from Truro City the former Plymouth Argyle youngster.
Perrin added: “He lives in Saltash and Truro is a lot closer for him but I’d obviously like to keep Jordan at the club. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
Tom Evans and Mark Cooper could return to the Frome side to face in-form Gosport Borough this weekend while Lewis Powell will undergo a late fitness test.
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