Rovers face one of their shortest away trips of the campaign travelling to take on Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium this Saturday.
Rob Edwards’ side will be looking to clinch promotion in-front of a sold-out away end, after the 2-0 win over Oldham Athletic on Easter Monday.
Here’s the lowdown on our opponents, the Gas.
MEET THE MANAGER: JOEY BARTON
Bristol Rovers gaffer Joey Barton took charge back in February 2021.
Making over 100 appearances for Manchester City as well as playing for the likes of Newcastle United and QPR, the Merseyside born midfielder was a tough tackling, no nonsense battler.
After a year on loan with Marseille and spells with Burnley and Rangers, Barton decided to hang up his boots and head into the world of management.
His first job saw him take over at League One outfit Fleetwood Town in April 2018 as he brought success to Highbury, reaching the play-offs in the 2019/20 season.
After leaving the Lancashire outfit back in January of last year, he became the new Bristol Rovers manager and is now on the hunt to get the Pirates back to League One at the first time of asking.
KEY PLAYER: ELLIOT ANDERSON
Newcastle United loanee Elliot Anderson joined Bristol Rovers on Deadline Day back in January until the end of the season for his first real experience of professional football.
The 19-year-old first joined Newcastle at the young age of eight progressing through the ranks to make his first team debut in the FA Cup against Arsenal early last year.
Anderson has fitted comfortably into the attacking unit at the Memorial Stadium since his arrival scoring six and setting up three in his 18 league games.
The Tyneside born starlet scored his first for the club in a Man of the Match performance in a 4-0 win over Stevenage.
He comes into the crunch clash against FGR having scored in each of his last three league games helping the Pirates to seven points out of a possible nine in that time.
FORM – WWDWL
26/03/22 – Carlisle United 1-0 Bristol Rovers
02/04/22 – Bristol Rovers 2-1 Bradford City
09/04/22 – Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Bristol Rovers
15/04/22 – Bristol Rovers 1-0 Salford City
18/04/22 – Port Vale 1-3 Bristol Rovers
PLAYED FOR BOTH SIDES
Aaron Collins
Bristol Rovers top-scorer Aaron Collins has enjoyed a fruitful first season with the Gas following his departure from FGR in the Summer.
The Welshman has netted 11 times in 42 league games this season as well as grabbing two assists.
Collins spent two years in GL6 with FGR scoring 16 times in black and green before leaving upon the expiry of his contract.
LAST TIME OUT
Bristol Rovers came from a goal down to win 3-1, picking up a big three points away to fellow promotion hopefuls Port Vale.
Rovers went behind after just two minutes at Vale Park as a cross come shot from Harry Charsley was diverted in from close range by Jamie Proctor.
That lead lasted only eight minutes however as the inform Elliot Anderson blasted his left footed effort into the roof of the net leaving Valiants keeper Aidan Stone no chance.
Barton’s men managed to get in front before half time, this time Cardiff City loanee James Connolly got the faintest of touches on Antony Evans’ cross to make it 2-1.
The hosts almost levelled things through Daniel Jones 20 minutes from time but the visitors ensured they were the ones taking the points in added time as Ryan Loft netted a third.
LAST TIME WE MET
10-man FGR ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over Bristol Rovers at The Fully Charged New Lawn back in November.
Rovers had the better of the opening stages and took the lead on 20 minutes as skipper Jamille Matt finished coolly under Gas keeper James Belshaw.
But that lead was threatened to be derailed after the break as Udoka Godwin-Malife got a second yellow and was sent for an early shower on 63 minutes later.
Just 15 minutes later however and a handball gave Matt a chance to settle the clash from the spot kick, which he fired home with no problem.
The win extended Rob Edwards’ sides unbeaten run to seven games, finishing November with three league wins from three.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
It’s just the short 40 minute drive between the two clubs ahead of this weekend, yet we’ve only met the Pirates five times in competitive action.
Our 2-0 victory back in November was the first meeting between the two in the Football League with the other four coming in the 2014/15 National League season.
The record is currently even with both sides coming out on top twice with one draw, a 1-1 deadlock at The Fully Charged New Lawn in our first meeting.
