Author: Neil Spiller

Tuffley Rovers will begin a run of home fixtures in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division tonight, as they host fellow Gloucestershire side Lydney Town in a Friday night fixture at Glevum Park.

After a recent win at play-off chasing Fairford Town, Lydney will hope that they’ve all but extinguished any concerns of relegation (even after bottom placed club Wantage Town won against Longlevens in the week) and with Rovers all but safe, too, there is a risk that the game might be something of a ‘dead-rubber’.

However, it is a local derby and Rovers manager Neil Mustoe has been open in his comments in relation to what he expects from his squad during the remainder of the season, and he has also confirmed that he expects James Morse’s side to be as competitive as ever, with the sides having some great battles over the last few seasons, with wins going to both clubs.

Tonight’s match kicks-off at 7:45pm and the official match-day programme is now available online.

 

Tuffley Rovers will play their first home league Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division fixture since New Years’ Day and their first home league game on a Saturday since 16 December 2023, when they host Roman Glass St George in a 3pm kick-off at Glevum Park. In returning to their home, Rovers will probably be hoping for an upturn in form, as they look to build on a valuable point gained at Mangtosfield United last weekend, following three consecutive defeats.

Neil Mustoe’s side will be up against a strong Roman Glass St George side, who sit 6th in the league table and who defeated Rovers 3-2 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, despite the Glevum Park side having led 2-0.

There is hope for Rovers, as Roman Glass come into the game off a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions, and without a win in January. Their last victory came on 30 December, when they won 3-1 at home against Hereford Lads Club, although that was at the end of a five game winning streak in the league.

What lies ahead is a game between two teams looking to improve their results as they move into the ‘business end’ of the 2023/24 season. Rovers will be hoping that home is where their improved form begins.

Tuffley Rovers will welcome Uhlsport Hellenic League leaders, Corsham Town to Glevum Park today (1 January 2024) looking to cause an upset and continue their positive form.

Neil Mustoe’s Rovers side have taken 10 points from the last 12 available and come into the New Years’ Day game in 14th place, with three consecutive away wins behind them – against Wantage Town, Longlevens and Brimscombe & Thrupp. Those results were preceded by a 1-1 draw against Thornbury Town at Rovers’ home, when Karnell Chambers scored on 86th minute equaliser for Mustoe’s side.

Chambers has been at the centre of Rovers’ improved form, scoring seven times in seven appearances, including a hat-trick at Brimscombe on 30 December, but Mustoe has seen an improvement throughout his squad and will be hoping that his side can improve on previous showings against Corsham Town, with Rovers having failed to score in the five previous Hellenic League Premier Division meetings between the two clubs, with Town winning all five.

Corsham are also in form at the moment, having won three of their last four games, with the only defeat a 2-1 reverse against title rivals Worcester City.

Today’s game will kick-off at 3pm.

The official match-day programme is now available online, with printed copies also on sale at the turnstiles.

Tuffley Rovers will host Thornbury Town at Glevum Park on Saturday, 16 December 2023 looking for a morale boosting win, against one of the sides near them at the foot of the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division table, after a poor run of league results.

Neil Mustoe’s side have lost their last four league games, including lose the last two fixtures against Roman Glass St George and Slimbridge having held a 2-0 lead on each occasion, but know that they cannot afford to drop more points if they are to move up the table as the season progresses.

Mustoe’s side have already faced Thornbury Town twice this season, winning 1-0 in the league at the Mundy Playing Fields, then winning on penalties in the Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup on 31 October, having held another lead in that game, before a late equaliser made it 2-2 on the night.

With a busy Christmas period about to start Mustoe will be hoping to increase the festive spirit as his side go into a crucial period, with the game against Thornbury followed by a cup tie against Slimbridge at Glevum Park on Tuesday, then league games away against Wantage Town (23rd), Longlevens (26th), Brimscombe & Thrupp (30th), before they host Corsham Town on New Years’ Day.

A good start to the festive period, against visitors Thornbury Town, could be the early Christmas present that will lift the spirit in Mustoe’s squad.

Yesh Lomotey and Mark Pritchett will be eligible for selection after serving suspensions, but Kieran Alder still has to serve a further two match ban after his sending-off at Hereford Lads Club. Joel White is not yet fit for selection but Mustoe hopes to have an otherwise full squad to choose from.

The official match-day programme for today’s game is now available from this website and printed copies will be available at the turnstiles.

Relative giants, Worcester City, will arrive at the home of comparable minnows, Tuffley Rovers, this evening and will be looking to continue their march on the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division title, in a 7:45pm kick-off at Glevum Park.

The two sides met on the opening day of the season and Rovers put in a heroic effort, interspersed with a healthy supply of luck, as well as a terrific performance from Luke Merchant, to hold City to a 0-0 draw.

Tonight Worcester City will arrive at Rovers’ home – with a high likelihood of a significant travelling support behind them – looking for a win that will keep them neck and neck with Corsham Town as the favourites for the league title.

Whilst many Rovers fans will be expecting a difficult evening, the game in early August will give hope to many, including Rovers’ manager Neil Mustoe, despite a difficult day at Slimbridge on Saturday, when his side lost 4-1.

The official match-day programme is now available online, with a limited number of printed copies available from the turnstiles this evening.

Those travelling to Glevum Park by car are reminded to show consideration for local residents and businesses when parking on the streets surrounding the ground. Spaces are available in the ground but on a first come, first served basis.

Tuffley Rovers will look to secure a first win in the Uhlsport Hellenic League this afternoon, when Royal Wootton Bassett Town will be the visitors to Glevum Park.

Rovers are without a win in six league games, although will have been buoyed by the news in midweek that the hard earned point they thought they had secured away at Worcester Raiders, before the game was abandoned in the 97th minute, is now confirmed after the Hellenic League Management Committee determined that the result should stand.

Sam Collier’s side visit Glevum Park with four wins from six this season, although they’ve suffered defeats in their last two outings, against Highworth Town and Corsham Town.

Both sides will be looking to get back to winning ways, on what promises to be a very hot afternoon!

Today’s match-day programme is now available online, with printed copies on sale at the turnstiles.

Tuffley Rovers will host Longlevens, in the fixture often dubbed the ‘El Glosico’, as both sides look to improve their form at the start of the 2023/24 Uhlsport Hellenic League season.

Longlevens won on the opening day of the season, against Lydney Town, but neither side has recorded three points in any of their other league fixtures, meaning they will meet on the Bank Holiday Monday, as has become tradition in recent seasons, with all to play for if they are to move up the table.

Last season Levens comprehensively beat Rovers 4-0 at Glevum Park, on a fixture played over the Christmas Period, and the two sides had played out a 0-0 draw in August, when the teams had met at Sawmills End.

KO at Glevum Park is 3pm. The official match-day programme can be downloaded from the website or printed copied purchased from the turnstile.