Rovers are back in GL6 this weekend as they take on Swindon Town in the early kick-off.

Here’s all you need to know about our next visitors to the Fully Charged New Lawn:

MEET THE MANAGER: BEN GARNER

Aged 41, Garner never played football in the professional game and went into football coaching at the young age of 25.

His first role came at Selhurst Park where he was an academy coach for seven years coaching the likes of Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

After stints as a first team coach at Palace and West Brom alongside a link-up with Steve Coppell at ATK in India, it was time for Garner’s first Head Coach role.

Garner took his first full managerial role in late 2019 but was relieved from his duties after less than a year in charge.

In July, after nearly half a year out of management Garner took over at the County Ground becoming the first manager of new owner Clem Morfuni’s reign at the club.

KEY PLAYER: BEN GLADWIN

Ben Gladwin rejoined the Robins back in July on a one-year deal having had three previous spells at the club.

The 29-year-old first moved to the County Ground back in 2013 after stints in non-league with the likes of Marlow and Hayes & Yeading United.

After losing in the League One play-off final back in 2015, Gladwin, alongside fellow midfielder Massimo Luongo made way to QPR.

In more recent times Gladwin has played for Blackburn Rovers and Milton Keynes Dons.

The midfielder has played in all 10 of Swindon league games so far, scoring in the season opener and in the recent win at Bristol Rovers.

FORM: WDDLD

04/09/21 – Stevenage 1-1 Swindon Town

11/09/21 – Swindon Town 1-2 Port Vale

18/09/21 – Northampton Town 1-1 Swindon Town

25/09/21 – Swindon Town 0-0 Colchester United

02/10/21 – Bristol Rovers 1-3 Swindon Town

LAST TIME OUT:

Goals from Jack Payne, Harry McKirdy and Ben Gladwin helped Swindon to a 3-1 win against Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.

The Robins went behind early in the first half courtesy of Harry Anderson and couldn’t break through the Rovers back line until just before the hour mark.

The ball fell kindly to Payne in the box who rifled his fourth goal of the campaign past the helpless James Belshaw to draw the away side level.

As the game looked to be heading for a draw, an Alfie Kilgour handball in the box and subsequent second yellow card swung the game in favour of Swindon.

Ben Gladwin stepped up and slotted his spot kick away to send the travelling fans in to raptures and with four minutes left on the clock, it was wrapped up.

A fizzed cross from the right hand side looked to be heading safely toward the hands of Belshaw. But the veteran keeper could only spill the shot to the feet of Harry McKirdy.

The former Carlisle winger made sure Ben Garner was taking the three points home against his former club.

LAST TIME WE MET:

Forest Green won their final game of the 2019/20 season as they defeated Swindon for the first time ever in the league by two goals to nil.

Goals from Matty Stevens and Ebou Adams either side of half time helped Rovers to a much-needed first victory in eight games.

Stevens got Mark Cooper’s side off to flier in Wiltshire, converting an Elliot Frear cross just four minutes into the match.

The Robins had the lion share of the possession and chances, coming mightily close with Keshi Anderson’s long range effort cannoning back off the bar.

Rovers started fast again after the break and five minutes into the second half it was all but game over. It was Jack Aitchison this time with the cross, which found Adams who nestled his header into the far corner.

The game turned out to be the last of the season as the COVID-19 pandemic meant the season was curtailed and decided on points per game.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Rovers and the Robins have locked horns on six occasions in the league, with Swindon edging the record by three wins to one accompanied by two draws.

FGR beat Swindon for the first time in the league back in March 2020. Goals from Matty Stevens and Ebou Adams sent the Rovers faithful home happy in what was the last away game with fans for 525 days.

The sides first met in an FA Cup second round tie back in 2007 when they were separated by two divisions. A goal late in the day sent Swindon through to next round as they triumphed 3-2.