Next Match – Frome Town (H)

Defending champions Bath City face familiar opposition in the Somerset Premier Cup tomorrow night.

This will be the fourth competitive meeting between City and Frome Town in just over two years, with two pre-season friendlies thrown into the mix.

Unlike the last two years where the pair met in the semi-finals at Badgers Hill, this Twerton Park tussle is for a spot in the last eight. Taunton and Weston-super-Mare are the other National League South sides already in the hat with the quarter-finals scheduled for February.

Frome enjoyed success over a NLS side just over a week ago, dumping Worthing out of the FA Trophy on penalties following a dramatic 2-2 draw. They also recorded that scoreline on Friday night at Bishops Cleeve, this time from 2-0 down. Goalscorers Jon Davies and George Rigg are both former Bath players.

Danny Greaves has spent just over five years in charge of the Southern Division One South outfit. After a couple of near misses for promotion, they’re well placed again. They currently sit fourth in Step 4 but with games in hand in all three sides above them, and are just four points behind leaders Wimborne Town. They’re unbeaten in five in all competitions and have two home games against Devon opposition to look forward to – on Saturday they face bottom markers Exmouth Town before Torquay United visit on 9 December in the FA Trophy.

Jerry Gill’s side are also unbeaten in five with three wins and two draws. They’re also Somerset Premier Cup holders having beaten Paulton Rovers, a side in Frome’s division, in last year’s final. They only conceded one along the way to a first success in the competition since 2008.

City have won every match against Frome under Gill and Cody Cooke will be licking his lips at facing the Robins. Including friendlies, the forward has plundered 10 goals in six outings against Greaves’ side and is one from double figures this term in all competitions.

Another familiar man in the Romans ranks to the Robins faithful is Joe Raynes, who was Town’s Player of the Year in 2017/18 before switching to his hometown club, where he’s remained since. He’s likely to get a run-out alongside Chris Lines. Tom Smith is suspended following a red card in last season’s semi-final at Badgers Hill, he’s serving the second of a three-match ban.

If tomorrow’s match is level after 90 minutes, the tie will go straight to penalties.

Come along to see if City can continue their good form!