Frome currently sit in the relegation zone, in 20th spot, with a W6 D11 L13 GF 31 GA 47 record. But, as we have noticed so often this season, dig a little deeper and we find that the situation looks quite different with the boys from BA11 on a really good run which belies their position.

Let’s split The Robins’ season into two. On the last day of November they lost 2-1 at Marlow, and reached their low point of this league campaign. At that time their record for the season was W1 D5 L11 – that’s just eight points from 17 games with that sole victory coming on the opening day of the season 1-0 at Gosport. They’d also been knocked out of the FA Cup at home by S.L. Div One Larkhall. Whatever manager Danny Greaves and his team then did should be made into a motivational book, because since the beginning of December the Frome Robins have gathered 21 points from their subsequent 13 games – W5 D6 L2. If such form had been replicated all season, they would now be sitting sixth above Havant & Waterlooville, just outside a play-off spot.

You’ll recall that last season 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, average 498, have only seen two league wins this term – 3-0 over Supermarine and 5-0 over Plymouth Parkway, both in December. Their last two home games were both draws – goal-less against Gloucester, and, on Saturday, a thrilling 3-3 with Marlow. Their home record is now W2 D5 L7.

Frome’s record on their travels is better: W4 D6 L6. Those wins were that opening day 1-0 at Gosport; 2-0 at Hanwell; 3-1 at Winchester; and, on 1st Feb, 1-0 at Poole. The win at Winchester started a current five-game unbeaten run on the road – the three draws were at Totton (1-1), goal-less at Taunton, and 1-1 at Walton & Hersham on 15th Feb, all good results.

Who should we look out for? We know that 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; winger Albie Hopkins, a summer signing from Melksham, scored a brace on Saturday, and always impresses; and midfielder Rex Mannings, on loan from Chippenham, is in fine form, while Greaves recently signed another striker Elliott Dugan from Cymru Premier Connah’s Quay. Ollis, Ferris and Hopkins all scored in Frome’s 3-0 Somerset Premier Cup quarter-final win on Wednesday over Mendip Broadwalk.

The five points taken from Wimborne’s most recent three games: 1-1 at home with Merthyr, a 1-0 derby win over Poole in front of a 2k crowd, and Saturday’s 1-1 draw at 5th-placed Dorchester, has lifted The Magpies to 15th with an overall W9 D8 L13 GF 36 GA 47 record. At the Wyatt Homes Stadium the record is W7 D4 L5. Winger Matty Burrows scored at The Avenue on Saturday, and Harry Morgan finished off that terrific team goal against the league leaders. But it’s the determined defensive displays which have earned recent plaudits with keeper Ross Flitney, and Drew Eccott-Young, Sam Roberts, Harvey Wright, and skipper Sam Jackson all in fine form.

Last season The Magpies and The Robins drew 2-2 at Badgers Hill, and 1-1 at the Wyatt Homes Stadium when 2,307 spectators saw Ollis and Morgan score with headers. Both teams are in decent recent form, and both will want to take something from Saturday’s game. This has all the ingredients for being a crucial cracker. So come on down to the Wyatt Homes Stadium and cheer on Tim’s team – after all, it’s what Saturday afternoons were made for.

There’s reasonable parking at the ground in Ainsley Road BH21 2FU, but if you do decide to travel by car and park on the nearby streets, please do so respectfully to our neighbours.

The Morebus no.13 runs along Leigh Road from and to The Square in the town centre with stops at the bottom of Parmiter Road, a 5-minute stroll from the ground.

There is a bike park to the left of the players’ entrance.

Admission: adults £14, concessions £8, U18s £5, U13s £2.

Average att: 718

A packed printed programme will be on sale.

Weather forecast: sunny intervals; 9oC; <5% chance of rain.