This is the re-scheduled fixture which was postponed on 23rd November.

First, let me take you back to last Saturday when we visited a team who:

• were battling to get out of the bottom four in the division;
• had lost just once in their previous five games; and
• played on a pitch notoriously soft and heavy at this time of year.

That team was Tiverton Town, and on a poor pitch, Wimborne lost 1-0.

Fast forward to Tuesday when we visit a team who:

• are battling to get our of the bottom four in the division;
• have lost just once in their last seven games; and
• play on a pitch notoriously soft and heavy at this time of year.

That team is Frome Town.

You’ll recall that last season Danny Greaves’ Robins pushed Tim Sills’ Magpies all the way before Wimborne clinched the title on that unforgettable final April afternoon at Melksham. Badgers Hill was a real fortress for Frome all season with a W14 D4 L0 record, so it’s surprising that the vocal home supporters have only seen two league wins this term. OK, Kane Simpson left for Merthyr; but James Ollis and captain Sam Teale, now with over 300 appearances to his name, are always an aerial threat; free-scoring Archie Ferris has joined from Taunton following his move from Larkhall over the summer; midfielder Rex Mannings, on loan from Chippenham, is in fine form, and Greaves has just signed another striker Elliott Dugan from Cymru Premier Connah’s Quay.

Since The Robins lost 2-1 at bottom club Marlow at the end of November, they’ve gathered an impressive 14 points from their next seven games: a 2-0 win at Hanwell, wins at home over Supermarine (3-0) then Plymouth Parkway (5-0), a 4-1 loss at Bracknell, a 3-1 win at Winchester, a 1-1 draw at Totton, and, on Saturday, a goal-less draw at home to Gloucester. You’ll notice that Frome haven’t conceded at home for three games. That leaves them 21st in the table with a W5 D7 L12 GF 26 GA 40 record, but, having played 24 times, they do have games in hand.

Wimborne also lost at Marlow in November. Our following eight games yielded nine points: a 1-0 Boxing Day win at Sholing, a 3-1 home win over Marlow, and draws with three of the top seven – Dorchester, Gloucester and Taunton. The Magpies are sitting 16th with a W8 D5 L11 GF 29 GA 39 record; on their travels it’s W2 D2 L8.

Recent signing Owen Roundell made his first start at Tiverton where manager Sills paired Will Fletcher and Toby Holmes up front. Both Frome and Wimborne played on energy-sapping surfaces on Saturday so expect both managers to make full use of the squads available to them.

How have we fared at Badgers Hill in our Southern League days? To be honest – not too well. Four defeats in our first four visits – three in the league, one in the FA Cup. But last season goals from Harry Morgan and an absolute belter from Matt Neale earned us a well-deserved draw.

There was also a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in April when 2,307 spectators saw Ollis and Morgan score with headers.

Fixtures between the two teams are always exciting and entertaining, and it’s a good ground to visit. Can Wimborne bag a first win at Badgers Hill, and a third win on their league travels? Can Frome bag a third league home victory of the season? Or will it be a third draw in the most recent three matches between The Magpies and The Robins?

Frome’s Badgers Hill ground: Berkley Road, Frome, Somerset  BA11 2EH  – approx 45 miles

Average attendance: 519

Admission: adults £12, concessions £9, students £4, U16s £2.

Weather forecast: light cloud; 7oC; 30% chance of rain.

Given the recent and forecast wet weather, do check the club’s website and social media platforms in case of a pitch inspection.