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.