Bristol Rovers Vs Oxford United, Memorial Stadium, Bristol, Sky Bet League 2, Saturday 8th February 2014, Kick Off 3:00pm please log in to view this image Vs please log in to view this image
Covers laid this morning to protect the pitch Bristol Rovers have this week invested in brand new pitch covers, to protect the playing surface ahead of Saturday's game. The covers were purchased from Tildenet and were put into place at the Memorial Stadium this morning to shield the pitch from the heavy rain forecast over the next few days. Stadium Manager Ian Holtby said: "The groundsatff have had a torrid time of it over the last few weeks, and I would like to thank the Board for their support in purchasing these new covers. "We are doing everything we can to get these next two vital games on, and these covers have given us a chance." It is likely the club will be looking for volunteers to help remove the covers on Saturday morning, so please keep your eyes on the website and our official twitter feed (@Official_BRFC) for more.
Help required to remove pitch covers Bristol Rovers are looking for volunteers to help remove the pitch covers ahead of tomorrow's game against Oxford United. Volunteers would need to report to the groundsman's shed (behind the Family Enclosure) at 9.30am tomorrow to first help remove any water from the covers, then take the covers off the playing surface. Everyone who helps will receive coffee and a bacon roll, as well as a ticket for the game.
A look at tomorrow's opponents Bristol Rovers entertain a high flying Oxford United team this weekend, the Yellows arrive in Bristol with the only undefeated away record in the entire League. With 7 wins and 6 draws from the 13 away games, they have amassed an impressive 27 points on the road. Their defense is miserly and has conceded just 8 goals in those 13 games. The club was thrown into turmoil recently when Chris Wilder resigned the Manager’s spot leaving Mickey Lewis in temporary charge. Lewis has established his credentials firmly with a 3 match unbeaten run. On Tuesday night they secured a 1-1 draw at Gigg Lane against Bury. They fell behind on 56 minutes. A deep cross from the left found Ryan Clarke under pressure and as he fumbled the ball Craig Jones had the simple task of planting the ball home to make it 1-0. A corner from Rose to the near post saw Josh Ruffles ghost in at the back to power a downwards header over the line, despite Brian Jensen’s best efforts. Seven minutes of stoppage time was added at the end of the game after Jensen and U's striker David Connolly received treatment after clashing heads. Ruffels expressed his pleasure after the game, “I’m delighted, it was a great feeling. It’s got to be my best moment in football, I didn’t know what to do when it went in. I could see Mulls (Johnny Mullins) running towards me and I was just jumping around. I think it’s a really good point away to a good Bury side.” Ruffels was one of three development squad players in the starting lineup, Matt Bevans continued his run in the side at right back, while Callum O’Dowda, was handed a first league start. Boss Mickey Lewis, commenting on his young charges after the game, said: “They were great, not just their work rate, but they are also not scared to play. This is a tough place to come on a Tuesday night, in difficult conditions where the pitch isn’t the best.” Looking at the history of games between the teams, there have been 47 meetings since Oxford first entered the League back in the mid 1960’s, replacing Accrington Stanley. In terms of results the games between the teams have been remarkably even over the years with Rovers winning 18, United 17 and 12 draws. In all respects it’s the home teams who dominate in these fixtures with 5 United away wins and 7 Rovers away wins. The first game between the two teams was played on 18th September 1965 at Eastville. There were four goals scored, all by men called Jones; one by Oxford’s Tony, but the star of the day was Rovers’ Bobby who bagged a hat-trick. However my vivid memory of that day was the Oxford custodian, Harry Fearnley who was smoking during the game! He used to rush into the back of his net whilst play was at the other end and have a quick puff. Also in the Oxford team was "Big Fat" Ron Atkinson, who the Evening Post noted failed to keep a tight grip on Bobby Jones. The most goals scored in a Rovers’ home game was a stunning 6-2 win at the end of the 2000-01 relegation season, which ended up being meaningless as Rovers’ season fell apart at the death. That 2 goal haul was only the second time the U’s have managed two goals on Rovers territory. However the next time they registered that number at the Mem was in 2002-03 season when they secured a 2-0 win. Rovers have not beaten the U’s at home since 2 October 2004, when they won 2-0, with a Junior Agogo double. Since then there have been two draws and last season’s opening day defeat. United opened the scoring on 21 minutes, Adam Chapman fed the ball into Jake Forster-Caskey, who turned and shot on the edge of the area. Alfie Potter doubled Oxford’s lead just after the half hour mark, after a slip from Michael Smith near the half way line. The Oxford winger made a great solo run, and slotted the ball home past Walker in the Rovers goal. On loan striker David Connolly believes his new club are geared up for promotion to League One. The 36-year-old arrived at Oxford from Portsmouth on deadline day and has scored once in two appearances as the U's bid to reach the third tier, something Connolly hopes he can help play a part in. "Everything is geared up to promotion and the key thing here is the people in charge. The chairman is in and about the place, Mickey (caretaker boss Lewis) and Andy (Melville) are very positive and trust the lads. It will be hard because nothing comes easy in life. "You need lots of things to make a successful team. You can't just have youth and legs, you need that real mix. You need pace, know-how and quality and in this team we seem to have that mix. "The club have got a great set of lads here. They are very bubbly, really good atmosphere, a lot of men who are treated like adults who are trusted to go and perform on the pitch."
All you need to know ahead of tomorrow's game Opposition: Oxford come into the game unbeaten away from home in the league this season. The yellows currently sit in third place in the league, having picked up two wins and two draws in their last four games. Sean Rigg is ruled out with a calf injury but United hope to have Michael Raynes and Ryan Williams available again after injury. Opposition View: Oxford United keeper Ryan Clarke, who began his career at Rovers, said: "It's always nice to go back. There are still people behind the scenes from when I was there and it's a game I look forward to. We are in decent form and it's another big game." John Ward’s Comments: “Oxford are tough. I saw them play at Bury on Tuesday and they were very strong, and very organised. “Mickey Lewis, who has taken over at the moment, knows his job and is a very experienced coach. The team are playing very well for him, and they are very strong and hard to beat. “They come unbeaten away from home, but everyone must have a fall at some stage, and we have to try and hope that is against us. If we play well, we will certainly test them. “They are third in the league, in a very good prominent position, and they have a very good away record. “We are relatively pleased with our home record, so there is a good contest on Saturday.” Last Meeting: Rovers beat Oxford 1-0 at the Kassam Stadium back in November. A John-Joe O'Toole penalty sealed the victory for the Gas. Team News: Seanan Clucas is expected to feature in the squad, after he played in the reserve team game in midweek. New striker Steven Gillespie will also be in the squad. Tickets: There is no Early Bird offer for the Oxford game. Listen Live: Unable to make the trip to the Memorial Stadium? Then you can follow all the action from 3pm as Bristol Rovers take on Oxford LIVE on Gas Player Betting: Rovers are 7/5 to take all three points tomorrow. You can get 9/1 on Kaid Mohamed to be the first goalscorer, or 28/1 on John-Joe O'Toole to score in both halves. Bristol Rovers will benefit as you bet throughout the season, so make sure you open your Sky Bet account via www.skybet.com/bristolrovers Join the £5 Free Bet Club you get a FREE £5 BET every week - Place a £5 accumulator on any sport with combined odds of 5/1 or more before midnight Sunday. Your £5 free bet will then be credited by 7pm Monday for you to use on any sport.
Previous home games against Oxford (not too good I'm afraid): November 2002 - Rovers 0-2 Oxford - Another disappointing performance in our record eight match losing sequence as Oxford comfortably took the three points. Andy Robinson was credited with the first goal as his low shot from the edge of the box went in off teammate Jefferson Louis. Louis - who would later have a short spell at Rovers - did score the second as he dispossessed Adam Barrett before firing home an angled shot. February 2004 - Rovers 1-1 Oxford - A pretty scrappy affair, but for a long while it looked set to be a disappointing afternoon for Rovers after Mark Rawle crashed home to capitalise on some hesitant defending. It took us until the final 10 minutes to find an equaliser; substitute Lewis Haldane finding the far corner with a low shot. October 2004 - Rovers 2-0 Oxford - The Oxford supporters were giving former boss Ian Atkins some unfriendly treatment in the stands, but he had the last laugh as Rovers won this game fairly comfortably. Junior Agogo scored both goals, firstly firing past goalkeeper Chris Tardif after being put through, and then volleying into an empty net after Tardif's clearance had been charged down. Oxford rarely threatened, and only a good Tardif save prevented Agogo from completing his hat-trick. September 2005 - Rovers 1-1 Oxford - I wasn't at this game, nor have I seen highlights, so all I know is that Chris Hackett put Oxford ahead on the stroke of half time, and Richard Walker netted the equaliser shortly after the hour mark. February 2012 - Rovers 0-0 Oxford - This match only just survived a pitch inspection after heavy rain, but the soggy pitch affected the game as few chances were created. Mustapha Carayol looked the most likely to make something happen for Rovers, but Oxford's Liam Davis came closest when his shot was palmed away by Scott Bevan. August 2012 - Rovers 0-2 Oxford - A pretty terrible way to start last season, Oxford didn't have to work hard for the three points once Jake Forster-Caskey had put them ahead with a rasping shot. Alfie Potter made it two when he dispossessed Michael Smith on the halfway line before running through a totally non-committal Rovers defence and shot low past Bevan. Rovers had most of the possession in the second half, but Oxford dealt comfortably with what we threw at them.
1-1 I shall not be at the game today as Mrs Gas and I are travelling up to the midlands this afternoon visiting friends.
my god dont they love to moan those oxford players didnt think we were ever going to score today and count. although a point is a fair result we should have got all 3 as oxford were nothing special. was o'tooles disallowed goal offside or something as i missed why it got disallowed as i was celebrating really thought brown scored at the end. i was off celebrating again
Definitely offside. I was looking directly across from the Dribuild Terrace and both Mohamed and O'Toole were well offside.
I cant remember ever being so bl**dy cold! You have to wonder whether watching football played in those conditions is really worth the bother. I can see why McGee was so keen on Constable. He was pivotal to everything Oxford did. Oxford must be the worst case of moaners I have seen for a while. The referee was about as poor as I have ever seen. All the little niggly pushes he allowed to go unpenalised added to the mix of bad temper. Then playing the stern headmaster and handing out lectures......well it just beggars belief!! With the format of play used yesterday, we need to address the fact that of the twenty or so aerial crosses we made into the Oxford penalty area, we only manage to get our heads to one of them. That was the goal
