Andy Crabtree

FROME Town manager Andy Crabtree is keen to carry on as boss at the Toolstation League Premier Division club.

The Robins finished the season in fourth place, but never looked like mounting a serious challenge for the title.

Crabtree said he wanted to carry on with the club in the next campaign.

When asked if would be with The Robins next season, Crabtree said: "I see no reason why not. I'm happy there and I want to win something for the club.

I'm not a quitter anyway.

"In three of the last four seasons we've finished in the top four, you can't fault that really.

"We just need to kick on a little bit more and find a level of consistency where we can finish in the top two, which I think we can."

Frome were made to settle for fourth place after they lost 1-0 at Willand Rovers on Saturday.

Sam Duggan and boss Andy Crabtree were both shown red cards and Willand scored a controversial winner to snatch third away from The Robins.

Frome looked more likely to score in the opening half hour and shots from Matt Peters and Joe Gomes went just wide.

The 31st minute brought one of the defining moments of the match as Duggan was shown a red card for a tackle on Russell Jee.

The decision was hotly disputed as it seemed he won the ball cleanly, and boss Andy Crabtree also saw red in the aftermath.

Willand controversially took the lead just before half-time as Danny Bailey seemed offside from Jee's pass, but play went on and he fired past Richard Fey for 1-0.

Toby Colbourne came on in the second half as Frome took the game to the hosts, and Fey brought off several one-on-one saves from Willand counter-attacks.

Willand's Simon Hill received a a second yellow card on 72 minutes before Joe Gomes nearly levelled late with a 35-yard volley that flew just over.

A fuming Andy Crabtree said: "I think the less said about Saturday's game the better. It's disappointing because we've lost to such a controversial goal.

"The game hinged on two decisions and I think the referee got both wrong, but that's football.

"It happens too often for my liking and nobody is answerable, it's just accepted.

"When you question him (the referee) he doesn't even have the courtesy to talk to you.

"It seems every time the referee is being watched by an assessor he has an absolute nightmare."

But The Robins boss praised Willand for their performances against his team this season.

Crabtree said: "Willand are a good side, they beat us twice so they deserve to be above us. Fair play to them."

The Frome manager was much happier on Sunday as his team finished the season off with a 4-1 thumping of Ilfracombe Town in Devon.

Mark Salter scored twice and in between Dean Caslake found the net, while Sam Duggan ended his rollercoaster weekend with the fourth goal.

There was even time for boss Crabtree to make a cameo appearance on the left wing four minutes from time.

Crabtree said: "We scored four good goals and played some of our best football in the second half of the season.

"It was a chance for Dean Caslake to get 90 minutes and he scored a brilliant goal and put in a man of the match performance."

5:55am Sunday 11th May 2008

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