Preview: Bristol Rovers

10 August 2021

Cheltenham Town are in Carabao Cup action this evening with a visit to Bristol Rovers (kick-off: 7.45pm).

It's matchday two for the Robins this season after embarking on the start of the League One campaign on Saturday at Crewe Alexandra - the club's first at that level since the 2008/09 season.

Rovers now find themselves in League Two but will be tough opponents tonight as they target promotion back to League One at the first attempt having gone down last season.

Tickets are available to purchase but must be bought on the night at the stadium.

Team news

Michael Duff has confirmed he will make some changes to his side from Saturday's League opener.

There are two former Rovers men in the Robins squad. Liam Sercombe made over a hundred appearances between 2017 and 2020, while Andy Williams (pictured) also spent three seasons with them.

Media talk

Michael Duff spoke to the media on Monday morning ahead of tonight's fixture and is expecting a new look Rovers side to line up as opponents given their summer transfer dealings.

"They've brought a lot of players in and I know it's been a revamp in terms of personnel," Duff said.

"But knowing Joey (Barton) as I do he'll want to win the game.

"They were disappointed at the weekend so they'll be looking to get off to a winning start, but we're still looking for our first win as well.

"There will be changes to the team but that's not devaluing the competition."

Watch his full interview on iFollow where you can also watch Liam Sercombe's thoughts ahead of his return to his former club too.

Opposition

Bristol Rovers were relegated from League One last season and are now starting their campaign to bounce back into the third tier at the first attempt.

They began their League Two season on Saturday at also much fancied Mansfield Town, losing 2-1 and seeing captain Paul Coutts sent off in the second half at the One Call Stadium.

A busy summer in the transfer market has seen them recruit the likes of the experienced Mark Hughes, ex-Lincoln City wide man Harry Anderson and Welsh forward Aaron Collins from new League Two counterparts Forest Green.

The manager: Joey Barton

Appointed in February, Joey Barton was handed the task of trying to keep Rovers in League One. He couldn't prevent the second club from his managerial career from slipping into the fourth tier however.

His only other previous job in management was when he took charge at Fleetwood Town.

As a player he played once for England and turned out for the likes of Manchester City, Newcastle United, QPR, Marseille and Rangers.

Head-to-Head

Won: 6
Drawn: 5
Lost: 8

This record applies between all Football League and Carabao Cup fixtures between the two clubs.

Tickets & travel

Cheltenham fans have bought out the initial allocation of tickets for the game. Fans can therefore now purchase tickets on the night at the Memorial Stadium.

Prices for the game are £16 for adults and £6 for under-16s.

Fans booked onto the Travel Club coach will be departing the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 5.15pm.

Coverage

Social media: Follow @CTFCofficial on Twitter for team news and updates, CTFC on Facebook for score updates and @CTFCofficial on Instagram.

Website: Read the match report post-match and see reaction to the result from inside the camp.

Radio: Tune in to live commentary on BBC Radio Gloucestershire and on iFollow

Highlights: Watch extended highlights on iFollow, on YouTube and on Sky Sports

Match Reports

Report & highlights: Bristol Rovers 0-2 Town

10 August 2021

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Bristol Rovers v Cheltenham Town - Extended highlights - Tue 10th August 2021

Extended highlights of Bristol Rovers v Cheltenham Town, Tue 10th August 2021 in the Carabao Cup

Cheltenham Town booked their place in the second round of the Carabao Cup with this comfortable win at Bristol Rovers.

Michael Duff's side were the better side from start to finish and clinched the tie thanks to goals by Alfie May and Kyle Vassell, on his debut.

They came here to the Memorial Stadium at the same stage two years ago and were on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline but tonight they showed how far they have come in a short space of time.

The goals arrived in 13 second-half minutes and capped another encouraging performance on the road.

"I think it's fair to say we've improved [since the 3-0 defeat in 2019]," Duff said afterwards.

"Everyone looked they did on Saturday. We looked fit and together and that's been the strength of the side for two years.

"There little bits of quality in that as well so we were good value for the win. I thought there were some really good individual performances and quite a few people didn't do themselves any harm at all."

He made seven changes to the side that returned from Crewe with a hard earned point four days ago.

Callum Wright and Taylor Perry were among the new faces, making their first starts in midfield alongside Ellis Chapman. Meanwhile Vassell, who joined the club on a one-year deal 24 hours earlier, was sent on as a 66th minute substitute to make his decisive contribution.

Cheltenham carried on where they left off on Saturday, playing with confidence and cohesion and went on to create the best chance of the opening 45 minutes.

Callum Wright had a couple of early chances, one of which flew well wide while the other, a clever flick, was easily held. He later saw an inventive effort from distance saved.

But it was Ellis Chapman with the best moment of the half, striking the woodwork from fully 25 yards.

There were a couple of half chances for Will Boyle and Alfie May but they didn't threaten James Belshaw's goal.

Perry fashioned a fantastic chance shortly after the break, twisting away from his marker to tee up an effort from a tight angle but Belshaw pushed it into the side netting.

The first goal arrived 13 minutes into the second half after a sweeping move which saw Cheltenham turn defence into attack. Will Boyle brought it out of defence and played in Wright, who send a long diagonal ball into the path of May, who took it down and poked home from 12 yards.

Liam Sercombe was sent on with 26 minutes remaining (in place of Perry) and received a warm reception from the home faithful. The midfielder almost scored with first contribution, cutting in from the left but his low effort was saved.

But Duff's side added the second 19 minutes from time through Vassell, who took advantage of some poor defending after a mis-hit by Wright to smash home from close range to mark his first start with a goal.

Former youth product Luke Thomas and Connor Taylor had half-chances at the other end but in truth, Joey Barton's side rarely threatened the Robins defence.

BRISTOL ROVERS (4-3-3): Belshaw; Kilgour, Taylor, Baldwin, Anderton; Liddle (Langais 70), Grant, Anderson; Thomas (Jones 77), Westbrooke (Spence 70), Saunders. Subs not used: Ward, Harries, Hoole, Budd.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (3-5-2): Flinders; Horton, Tozer (c), Boyle; Long, Wright, Chapman (Hussey 80), Perry (Sercombe 66), Freestone; May (Vassell 66), Lloyd. Subs not used: Evans (Gk), Raglan, Bonds, Ebanks.

REFEREE: L Swabey

ATTENDANCE: tbc