The Cobblers face a second successive away day tonight as we visit Bristol Rovers in another vital League One clash. Rovers are smarting after their 5-1 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion in the F.A. Cup Quarter finals at the weekend but will be hoping to bounce back at The Memorial Ground.
Team News
Jason Crowe will miss the Rovers clash after picking up a hamstring injury in the 2-0 win at Walsall on Saturday. Mark Hughes is also a major doubt as he picked up a dead leg in the same game. Daniel Jones could feature after remaining on the bench in the Walsall win but Chris Doig and Brett Johnson remain sidelined long term.
Anthony Pullis returns for Rovers after he was cup-tied for the F.A. Cup quarter final defeat to West Bromwich Albion at the weekend. But defender Ryan Green remains out with an Achilles problem and Steve Elliot could miss out again.
The Story So Far…Bristol Rovers in 2007/08…
A run to the F.A.Cup Quarter Finals means Rovers are off the pace in terms of games played but can now fully focus on league action following the weekend exit at home to West Brom.
After promotion last season from League Two, Paul Trollope’s side started the season with draws against Port Vale and Crewe before recording their first win at the end of August as Joe Jacobson’s goal was enough to see off Oldham at Boundary Park.
September saw the unbeaten start stretch to five games with a 2-2 draw against Forest and victory at Luton but a 3-0 home defeat to Leeds finally ended the good run. Another draw, this time at Carlisle was followed by defeat to Leyton Orient, 3-2 at The Memorial Stadium.
October saw Rovers record no wins as they were frustrated in attempts to kick start their season. Draws against Southend and Brighton was followed up by a single goal defeat at Hartlepool. Steve Elliott secured a late point at home to Yeovil and then Gillingham won 3-2 at The Priestfield.
After a 2-0 home defeat to Bournemouth at the start of November, The Gas recorded back to back wins for the first time this season with a 1-0 win at Sixfields and a 2-1 success at home to Millwall either side of the start of their cup run at Orient. They would need a replay to see off the Londoners on penalties the week after a 1-0 loss in the league at Swindon but the spot kick win set up a game at home to Rushden and Diamonds in Round Two.
After a 5-1 demolition of our neighbours in Round Two, Rovers visited Yorkshire twice in a week but came home empty handed from both Huddersfield and Leeds. A home draw with Luton on Boxing Day eased the worries before a 3-0 home win over high flying Carlisle completed 2007.
2008 kick off with Rovers recording another big win, this time at Southend to really put them in good form going into the game with Fulham in the F.A. Cup Third Round. Rovers twice took the lead at Craven Cottage but were forced to a replay by Danny Murphy. The league form continued to improve as the side won 2-0 at Tranmere to make it three straight wins and then they held Walsall to a draw a week later. Rovers took Fulham all the way to penalties in the cup replay and came through 5-3 in the shootout to progress into Round Four, where they saw off League Two Barnet a couple of days later. A busy January was rounded off with a 1-1 draw at Crewe as Tom Pope earned a point.
February continued to push the club on up the table as the excellent form continued. Strugglers Port Vale and Cheltenham were put to the sword before Trollope’s men were finally beaten for the first time in 2008 at Doncaster. They bounced back with a 1-0 win over Oldham and then dumped Southampton out of the cup to book a place in the quarter finals, Rickie Lambert’s goal the difference between the sides. The last game of the month was a 1-1 draw with Tranmere Rovers at The Memorial Stadium.
So far in March, Doncaster have completed a quick fire double by beating them 1-0 and then Rovers were seen off 5-1 on Sunday by Championship side West Bromwich Albion to finally end their cup dreams.
Recent Meetings…
06/11/07: COBBLERS 0-1 ROVERS
Days after our good run came to an end against Southend, Rovers doubled the misery by winning by a single Rickie Lambert goal.
19/11/05: COBBLERS 4-0 ROVERS
Two goals from Andy Kirk, one from Martin Smith and a late header from Pedj Bojic seal a comfortable win en route to promotion.
07/10/05: ROVERS 0-0 COBBLERS
Stalemate in the Cobblers’ promotion season of 05/06.
03/01/05: ROVERS 3-1 COBBLERS
Former Cobbler James Hunt gives Rovers the lead before it’s doubled by Chris Edwards. Eric Sabin gives us hope with ten minutes to go but Junior Agogo makes it 3-1 in stoppage time.
25/09/04: COBBLERS 2-1 ROVERS
Two goals in the first half from Scott Mcgleish puts us in the driving seat and despite a late goal from Dave Savage we held out for the win.
The Man in the Middle…
Tonight’s referee is Brentwood official Ray Lee. Lee has most recently took charge of Wycombe’s 2-0 home win over Darlington at the weekend and has produced six red cards so far this season, including two Swindon players in their 3-2 win against Huddersfield at the start of this month.
For The Record…Rovers v Cobblers
GAMES PLAYED: 119
ROVERS WINS: 39
DRAWS: 33
COBBLERS WINS: 47
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