MATCH PREVIEW: Frome Town vs Wimborne Town

Wimborne Town FC | 05 August 2026 | Copy link
After a hot pre-season, the wait is over, and the league action can begin.

 

And what a tasty starter the League’s fixture computer has served up for us. Frome, the Burnley of the Southern League with two promotions and a relegation in the last three seasons, are back where they belong. You may recall that Danny Greaves’ Robins were runners-up to The Magpies when we won Division One South in 2023/24; the following season Frome finished 21st of 22 in Premier South and were relegated; then last season they bounced straight back in impressive style romping away with the Division One South title (W32 D6 L4 GF 97 GA 32) and an immediate return to Step 3.

 

Meanwhile, in Premier South, after finishing 10th in their first season back at Step 3 in 2024/25, Tim Sills’ Magpies suffered from second season syndrome stuttering to 15th four points clear of the relegation zone.

 

Frome’s primary target for the coming season is likely to be to stay in this division. The amiable Greaves, who has been in charge at Badgers Hill for over eight years, has kept the majority of his title-winning squad and added the versatile left-sided Zach Ali, formerly captain of Bristol City’s U21s, midfielder Josh Owers, how good to see him back after his horrendous facial injury playing for Taunton at New Cuthbury, and promising young defender Ciaran Walsh. They join a plethora of attacking talent including Jonathan Davies, David Duru, Archie Ferris, and Bath Uni student Sam Meakes.

 

Wimborne’s manager has added four new signings to his squad for the campaign: left full-back Cam Sullivan, winger Fin Toghill, midfielder Charlie Wooding, and returning defender Harvey Wright.

 

Both The Magpies and The Robins have had satisfactory pre-seasons. Wimborne finishing at The Wyatt Homes Stadium with a 3-1 loss to National South Salisbury, a 1-1 draw with National South Maidenhead, and Saturday’s 3-1 win over AFC Bournemouth’s U18s with spectacular goals from Lewis Williams and Josh Carmichael. Frome were undefeated in their six games, conceding a miserly two goals, finishing at Badgers Hill with a 1-1 draw with National League new boys Worthing, a 3-0 win over Salisbury, and on Saturday a goal-less draw with Weymouth.

 

How have WTFC fared at Badgers Hill in our Southern League days? Not very well initially with four defeats in our first four visits - three in the league, one in the FA Cup. Then in 2023/24 Tim’s team gained a well-deserved draw before a first victory in 2024/25 when the boys at the back survived an aerial bombardment after Matty Burrows’ early goal to win 1-0.

 

The winter deluge and now the scorching rainless summer will have made it really difficult for Frome’s groundsmen to prepare their notoriously heavy pitch for the new season. Its condition may well have an impact on team formations and tactics.

 

So the scene is set. Badgers Hill is ready! Management teams are ready! Players are ready! Supporters are ready! Let the games begin!

 

Match Info:

  • Frome's Badgers Hill ground: Berkley Road, Frome, Somerset BA11 2EH - approx 45 miles
  • Average 2025/26 league attendance: 558
  • Admission: Adults £14, Concessions £11, Students £6, U16s £3
  • Weather Forecast: Sunny intervals; 24oC; 10% chance of rain
  • Our Supporters Club is running a mini-bus – contact Paula for availability.