Steve Jupp, BA11's Club Historian, previews this weekend's trip to the coast.
With a tricky Easter successfully negotiated and on a run of five straight wins, the Robins will be looking to make it a super six on Saturday when they venture to Exmouth Town.
In what has become an enthralling title race, Monday's 2-1 triumph at Melksham took them to the top of the tree for the fourth time since the turn of the year. None of the previous three lasted more than a week, so can their best form of the season be maintained to hold on to that coveted number one spot?
Top Three
Pld Pts GD
FROME 31 68 +31
Wimborne 30 66 +30
Cribbs 32 58 +6
Exmouth currently lie in 17th place but don't be fooled by their lowly position because they too are a team on a roll.
They seemingly couldn't buy a home win all season but towards the end of February, a 5-0 trouncing of Larkhall kick-started their campaign and five wins from seven has lifted them off the bottom and eight points clear of the drop zone.
Back in December, in the fog and murk of midwinter, they came perilously close to ending Frome's long Badgers Hill unbeaten run and but for a missed penalty, would have gone two-up just before the interval, before being subsequently beaten by second-half strikes from Kane Simpson and Marcus Day.
King Kane is having one of those purple patches which all strikers dream of, finding the net with quality finishes in each of his last four games, contributing in no small measure to the Robins' impressive tally of 98 goals in all competitions.
Hopefully, they will still be haunted by their last visit to Southern Road just over a year ago when the East Devon outfit dished-out a painful 5-0 drubbing. A wrong that needs to be put right.
Match Details
For those who plan on travelling to Exmouth, tickets can be purchased on their website with adult entry currently priced at £9, concession entry at £7 and U16-18s' entry is £5.
Secure your tickets for our final home games of this thrilling season, one under the lights, one on the being the season finale!
I think the weather may have a strong hand in this. Only ever been to that ground in lovely sunshine but i remember it is quite exposed to the estuary
Not sure there are specific rules regard pitch inspection or match reviews regarding extreme weather. Technically if the ball doesn't stand still on the centre spot you cant start the game....
Thank you Steve, an excellent preamble as always.
Zac Drew – Player Profile
Zac signed for the ‘Robins’ around a year ago, having moved from Yate Town.
His performances after his induction into the team have improved immeasurably. Week on week he is one of the most consistent and reliable performers in the side. Greavsie’s faith in Zac’s ability is being repaid handsomely, recognised by his team mates and the Badgers Hill faithful.
We get nothing less than 100 percent when Zac pulls on the Robins shirt. His work rate is phenomenal, he never stops giving everything for the team.
What is noticeable about Zac’s defensive play is his awareness and tenacity in closing down the opposition…
Well said Juppy, you old ‘blast from the past’ you. Yes, suddenly this looks a very tricky game indeed and one where it would be quite easy to drop points.
After a fine run of form, that has now pushed Paulton Rovers to the brink , they were rewarded with their biggest gate of the season, 578, double their normal gate with their derby game against Willand over Easter. I think there’s every chance they’ll get another 500 gate on Saturday.
What an Easter we had? After several really hard games, followed by two in 3 days, we were out on our feet in that second half at Melksham, we were treading water, rowing against the tide, stuck in the…