Rovers are back in action against Stevenage this weekend for the first time in three weeks after a host of cancelled games due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak.
Here’s the lowdown on the Boro, Rovers’ first opponents of 2022.
MEET THE MANAGER: PAUL TISDALE
EFL coaching stalwart Paul Tisdale took over as the manager of Stevenage at the end of November after the departure of Alex Revell.
The 48 year old had a fairly short playing career before coaching Team Bath where he remained for five years in the early 2000’s.
Tisdale had a loan spell at Exeter City in his playing days and returned to St James’ Park to become the Grecians new manager in 2006.
In 12 years down in Devon, Tisdale led the club from the National League to League One before leaving the club in League Two just three years ago.
At one point toward the end of his time at Exeter, Tisdale was the longest serving manager at one club in the Football League.
Short managerial roles with MK Dons and Bristol Rovers followed before the Malta born manager put pen to paper in Hertfordshire.
KEY PLAYER: ELLIOT LIST
Attacker Elliot List signed for the Boro back in the summer of 2019, moving from League One outfit Gillingham.
The 24 year old started out in the Crystal Palace academy before signing for the Gills after being released back in 2015.
List most notably scored a memorable goal at the Priestfield Stadium as Gillingham defeated then Premier League Cardiff City 1-0 in the FA Cup third round in 2019.
After making over 100 appearances, he made his way to the Lamex Stadium, joining for an undisclosed fee.
List has been one of the standout performers for Stevenage this campaign scoring eight goals, exactly half of the teams league goals this season.
FORM - DLLDD
23/11/21 – Rochdale 2-2 Stevenage
07/12/21 – Stevenage 1-1 Scunthorpe United
11/12/21 – Stevenage 0-2 Carlisle United
18/12/21 – Salford City 1-0 Stevenage
29/12/21 – Swindon Town 0-0 Stevenage
LAST TIME OUT
Stevenage played out a 0-0 stalemate against promotion hunting Swindon Town at the County Ground earlier this week.
The away side had a host of chances throughout the 90 but couldn’t find that elusive goal to secure the three points.
Elliot List had two great chances before Luke Norris’ header came back off the post not long before the break.
Both sides pushed in the second half but couldn’t turn any of their half chances into something meaningful.
The result leaves Stevenage in 21st, just a point from safety, whilst Swindon currently occupy the last play-off spot.
LAST TIME WE MET
FGR ran out comfortable 4-0 winners against Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium back in September.
An early Kane Wilson finish followed by goals from Matty Stevens, Jamille Matt and Jake Young secured the three points for the current league leaders.
Rovers took the lead after just two minutes as Wilson latched onto a Nicky Cadden cross to steer in the opener.
The score line stayed 1-0 until not long after half time, where headers from both Stevens and Matt just eight minutes apart had Rob Edwards’ men three goals to the good.
The hosts rarely threatened and ten minutes from time, Young buried his one-on-one to take the points back to GL6.
The win extended Rovers’ unbeaten league run to three games whilst the Boro fell to their fourth league defeat of the season.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two sides are very familiar with each other having played on several occasions in non-league football before their respective promotions.
This meeting between the two sides will be their 10th in League Two action, with the last in GL6 ending 1-0 to FGR back in 2020.
The sides 4th tier record sways in Rovers’ favour, having only lost to the Boro on one occasion back at the start of 2021.
Rovers have won five and drawn the other three.
