Relegated Robins end campaign on a high

Frome Town's brave relegation battle came to an end at the weekend after they conceded a late winner against play-off chasing Dorchester Town on Friday, before results elsewhere on Saturday confirmed their drop back into Division One South of the Southern League after one season in Premier Division South.

- Harrison Richards & Zeb Baker-Smith

The game against Dorchester saw two penalties, a red card and Frome goals for Albie Hopkins and Sam Teale, only for the Robins to be edged out by the prolific Brett Pitman in the 88th minute as he sealed a five-goal thriller.

Joe O'Loughlin was particularly energetic down the left for Frome and he charged down a clearance in the 19th minute which fell to James Ollis who played a smart through-ball back to O’Loughlin but he dragged his shot wide.

Minutes later, Rex Mannings fizzed a low ball across from the left but Ethan Vaughan could only divert it onto the post. After surviving those early scares, Dorchester began to apply some pressure and were gifted a golden opportunity when Alex Monks slipped in the box and caught the attacker to concede a penalty which Olaf Koszela calmly slotted.

Undeterred, Frome's persistence was finally rewarded in the 39th minute when Hopkins struck a perfect free-kick in off the post to end the Robins’ nine-hour goal drought in style. Just as the sides looked to be heading into the break level, a mix-up at the back between Teale and Kyle Phillips led to an eventual collision with the Dorchester attacker.

Despite appeals for offside, the referee pointed to the spot once more and Koszela switched sides to send Phillips the wrong way and restore Dorchester’s lead.

With nothing to lose, Frome put their all into the second half. Vaughan put an excellent ball into the box which reached Teale who swung and missed. It rolled to O'Loughlin whose scuffed effort was easily gathered.

With time ticking away, Teale rose highest from a set-piece to power home a header for his first goal of the season.

The turnaround was close to being completed six minutes later when Hopkins dazzled with quick feet inside the box. He cut onto his left-foot but dragged his near-post effort and it clipped the outside of the post.