Category: News

Rovers hoping it will be alright on the (Friday) Night

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.

 

Home is where the hope is…when Saturday comes!

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.

Leaders Corsham visit to see in New Year for in-form Rovers

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.

Rovers seeking win to lift Christmas spirits

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.

Rovers Advance To Second Round Of Floodlit Cup In Tense Fashion

Tuffley Rovers vs Thornbury Town Floodlit Cup 23/24

Sammie Hicks scored the crucial penalty as Tuffley Rovers beat Thornbury Town 5-4 on penalties on Tuesday night at Glevum Park, after drawing the 90-minutes 2-2.

Connor Walters put the Rovers 1-0 up in the 17th minute with his second bite at the cherry nestling past Rudy Stilgoe, the Thornbury Town goalkeeper, in the bottom left corner after his first attempt was blocked. 

The home side doubled their lead 12 minutes later as Yeshaya Lomotey slotted home after a brilliant first touch that set himself up perfectly to score his first goal of the season.

The visitors pulled one back 10 minutes before the break after a massive deflection wrong-footed Robin Hoffland, handing the Thornbury debutant Bailey Croome his first goal for the away team. 

Disaster struck again for Tuffley in the 90th minute. A ball by Joe McLaughlin floated over Hoffland’s head, bounced off the crossbar, dropped onto the unfortunate Callum McGuirk and rolled into the open goal to level the game 2-2.

Thornbury Town were forced into a change at Half-Time as their goalkeeper, Stilgoe, was injured in the first half. The replacement, defender Rich Lee, became Thornbury’s seventh different man to put the gloves on this season.

As the two teams entered penalties, it was Thornbury who took first. The team in white, scored their first penalty comfortably.

Liam Smith, the captain after Henry Birkett was substituted, was the first to step up from Tuffley. He showed why he was the first penalty-taker as he buried his penalty confidently to level the score.

Thornbury kept the scoring going as they re-took the lead in the shootout. And the responsibility to keep the scores even fell to Tomos Shyamapant. 

Tomos kept his cool and tucked his penalty into the bottom left corner, leaving the Thornbury goalkeeper with no chance. 2-2 in the shootout.

Thornbury’s third penalty-taker stepped up, and Robin Hoffland shuffled to his right and made a good, strong save, giving Tuffley Rovers the advantage in the shootout.

Yesh found the back of the net for the second time in the game as he scored Tuffley’s third penalty to put the hosts up in the shootout.

From then on, all penalties were good from both teams and penalties from Griffin and Sammie Hicks wrapped up a good win to advance to the second round of the Floodlit Cup where we will face Slimbridge AFC on Tuesday, December 19. 

The team was much changed for the game, leaving many first-teamers rested for the big clash on Saturday versus Fairford Town. Several noticeable absences included; Jake Rhodes, Warren Mann, Mark Pritchett, Luke Merchant, Herbert McCauley, Alex Barrett. 

Manager Neil Mustoe will also return to the sideline on Saturday for the league fixture as he served a stadium ban tonight, leaving Liam O’Neill in charge for the evening.

A magnificent performance from defender, Ellis Clifford, earned him the Man of The Match award in only his second-ever appearance for the first team.

Basement battle beckons

After seven days without a game, Tuffley Rovers return to action today, at Glevum Park, hosting Wantage Town in an Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division game that will have significance for both sides.

Wantage arrive at Rovers off the back of a first win of the season, with Rovers sitting 6 points above them in the league table, in 17th place, after their second win of the season at Thornbury Town last weekend. With only one club likely to be relegated from each Step 5 division this season, this promises to be a crucial match for both teams, with the visitors hoping to close ground on the teams above them and Rovers looking to move into the lower mid-table places.

Rovers will be without Mark Pritchett, who is suspended today, and Joel White, who is injured, but there was positive news in the week, as long-term absentee Jake Rhodes returned to training. Today’s game may come to soon for him but there is hope that Rovers’ attacking talisman may be back in the near future.

Kieran Alder continues his return to fitness, after an exciting cameo at Thornbury, and may well feature today, as manager Neil Mustoe targets an important victory against another team around the basement of the table.

Usual admission rates apply (£6 / £4 / U15s free / Season Tickets valid) and the promotional offer on draught products will be in place from 1-2:30pm, when it will be just £3 per pint!

The match-day programme is available online today, but due to a printing issue we have been unable to produce the usual hard-copy version. It is anticipated that ‘normal service’ will be resumed in time for our next home game. Apologies to all those visiting today who treasure the printed version.

Rovers prepare for City seige

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.

Rovers welcome Cinderford to Town

Tuffley Rovers welcome Cinderford Town to Glevum Park this evening (Tuesday, 26 September) in their latest Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division fixture. KO is 7:45pm.

Rovers come into the fixture unbeaten in three games, which included a first league win at Lydney Town 7 days ago.

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

Rovers look to turn corner as Royal visitors come to Glevum Park

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.