The Match

The Pirates

Rovers will be looking to record their third home win in a week following victories over Notts County last weekend and promotion chasing Stockport on Tuesday night. These results have seen the Pirates climb into the top half of the table to occupy eleventh spot with a return of fifty-two points from thirty-seven games.

Rovers have a good home record and are ranked six overall in the league with eleven wins from nineteen games with the other games ending up in four draws and four defeats. The last defeat on home soil was against Darlington at the beginning of February but the previous one before this was against Hartlepool back in mid-December.

In fact, the Pirates have only lost three times since the turn of the year but have drawn too many games to be serious contenders for the play offs although they do have a Johnstones Paint Trophy final to look forward to next weekend when they take on Doncaster at the Millennium Stadium after beating local rivals Bristol City in the area final.

Their record against teams in the bottom half of the table is also good with only three defeats in nineteen games and tens wins from these matches leaves them ranked fifth overall against teams in the wrong half of League Two.

Top goal scorer for Rovers is Richard Walker and he has found the back of the net seventeen times so far in all competitions. The former Aston Villa trainee joined the club from Blackpool in 2004 and has scored fifty-one goals for the club in just over 130 appearances.

Rovers have also extended the loan spell of defender Sam Oji from Birmingham into a second month after the 21-year-old former Arsenal trainee impressed with his organising skills during his stay with the Pirates.

Past Encounters

Last 5 Meetings

Oct 06: Wrexham 2 Rovers 0

Apr 06: Wrexham 1 Rovers 0

Oct 05: Rovers 1 Wrexham 2

Apr 03: Wrexham 3 Rovers 2

Nov 02: Rovers 0 Wrexham 3

The last meeting between the two sides was at the Racecourse in October last year with Wrexham running out two-nil winners. Chris Llewellyn opened the scoring midway through the first half against his former club and on loan Tom Craddock scored in the last minute of his one and only game whilst on loan from Middlesbrough.

We did look on course to take three points from our last visit to the Memorial Stadium after Dennis Lawrence scored early in the second half but the Pirates scored twice late on through Richard Walker to steal all three points.

The head-to-head between the league has both sides equal on seventeen wins each and there have been seven draws in the forty-one games played. 

League Form Guide

Team News

Wrexham Team News: Wrexham are without six first team regulars for the visit to Bristol Rovers but all three loan signings from Thursday have received international clearance to play. Steve Evans, Lee Roche, Ryan Valentine and Chris Llewellyn are out suspended whilst Robbie Garret is away with Northern Ireland Under 21s and Michael Ingham is ruled out through injury. Danny Williams and Mark Jones should recover from knocks picked up at MK Dons last week but Anthony Williams, Richard Walker and Michael Proctor are all set for their debuts in a Wrexham shirt.

Bristol Rovers Team News: Manager Paul Trollope has a selection headache for all the right reasons with players returning from injury and suspension ahead of their outing at the Millennium Stadium next weekend. Stuart Campbell has now completed his suspension, and Byron Anthony and Sammy Igoe are available after recovering from knee and ankle injuries respectively.

Other Games

Boston are Wrexham's immediate target in the league with the Pilgrims getting a head start on us but they face a difficult task at promotion chasing Wycombe on Friday night.

Macclesfield are also in action on Friday and they will be looking to repeat what Boston did last weekend by coming away from Mansfield with all three points.

Accrington Stanley and Bury are at home this week and they entertain Hereford and Notts County respectively with both of the opposing teams suffering from a drop down the form table in recent weeks.

Rock bottom Torquay travel to Shrewsbury seven points adrift of safety before this weekend's games.

Venue Guide

Address: The Memorial Stadium, Filton Avenue, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 0BF.

Telephone Number: 0117 9096648

Fax Number: 0117 9085530

Rovers Websites

• Official Web Site
• BRFC Return
• The Temple of Bristol Rovers
• Supporters Club

How to get there?

By Train: Nearest Train Station is Bristol Temple Meads and is 3.5 miles away. A taxi will cost you up to £6 but there are frequent bus services. Take the No 8 or 9 to Broadmeads Shopping centre and from there cross the road to catch a number 70 or 73 from outside the 'Bristol Fashion Pub'. A number 75 will drop you off by the pubs in Gloucester Road. Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.

Beer and Grub: There are loads of pubs on Gloucester Road where you can virtually take your pick but do stay clear of the Duke of York and the Victoria. Options include the Wellington, although crowds of supports gather outside on a good day and plastic glasses are used (use your discretion!), Royal George, The John Cabot Inn, The Foresters and The Ashley Arms. On previous visits the Annex Inn in Nevill Road was fine and there was no hassle in club colours either and it is only ten minutes from the ground. To find it follow signs for the Cricket Ground. There is also a bar behind the stadium that admits away supporters. The stadium food is of a good quality with the Cornish Pasties the top choice. Outside the ground there are a variety of outlets available with the Bristol Fryer (near Quarington Road junction) and the Big Bite Cafe (Ashley down Road) the best for traditional British food.

Cash Machines: You will find a Lloyds down Gloucester Road and further down there is an Alliance & Leicester at the Post Office.

How much to get in?

XXXX Stand: Adults £14, Concessions £8.50

Disabled Facilities

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