The Match

The Pirates

Bristol Rovers arrive at the Racecourse without a defeat in their last four games although they would have been disappointed with the goalless draw at home to bottom placed Macclesfield Town, with the Silkmen playing the last fifteen minutes with only ten men.

This recent run of form has resulted in the Pirates climbing from fourth from bottom to their present 14th position with a return of 19 points from 15 games. Their only win so far on their travels came in their last outing, a 2-1 win at fifth placed Notts County although the Pirates have only come from behind once this season compared to the six games they have lost after conceding the first goal of the game.

Top goal scorer is striker Richard Walker and he is confident that he has turned the corner after scoring six goals so far and is on target to at least match his 21 goals last season. Richard Walker joined the Pirates from Oxford for the start of the 2004 season, scoring 34 goals in 74 league starts, and was voted the Supporters' Player of the Season after playing in every game.

Manager Paul Trollope is in his first managerial job and has been in charge at the Memorial Ground since September 2005. The former Wales international ended his career at Bristol Rovers with his biggest move coming in November 1997 when he joined Fulham from Crystal Palace in a £600,000 move.

Past Encounters

Last 5 Meetings

Apr 06: Wrexham 1 Rovers 0

Oct 05: Rovers 2 Wrexham 1

Apr 03: Wrexham 3 Rovers 2

Nov 02: Rovers 0 Wrexham 3

May 01: Rovers 4 Wrexham 0

Last season, the two encounters between the sides when the way of the home teams with Wrexham winning at the Racecourse courtesy of a first half goal from Matt Derbyshire.

Bristol Rovers came from behind in the game at the Memorial Ground after Dennis Lawrence had given Wrexham a 1-0 lead at the start of the second half. Slack defending from Wrexham allowed the Pirates to steal the points as Richard Walker scored the equaliser in the 88th minute and then the winner in the third minute of injury time.

Rovers just edge the head to head in the league with 17 wins compared to Wrexham's 16 and there have been 7 draws in the 40 games.

League Form Guide

With 3 wins in their last five league games, Rovers' form has picked up in the last month. The first win was at home to Hereford courtesy of a Richard Walker brace but the Pirates returned back from Chester empty handed after a 2-0 defeat. This was followed up with a single goal home win over Boston with Richard Walker again on target and he again scored in the 2-1 win at Notts County, Rovers' only away win of the season, before the Pirates returned home to a goalless draw against Macclesfield.

Wrexham's form is nothing but disastrous at the moment with the only win in the last five games coming at home to Hereford but since then four straight defeats have been recorded in the league against Rochdale, Hartlepool, MK Dons and Mansfield.

Bookies View

The Bookies are backing Wrexham to win with 11/8 the best price available at Sky Bet. The Rovers win is on offer at 2/1 with Bet Odd or Even and the draw is at 23/10 with Bet365.

Team News

Wrexham Team News: The paperwork for on loan Middlesbrough striker Tom Craddock has gone through and he is set to make his debut up front tomorrow. Wrexham have been further boosted with the news that Shaun Pejic is included in the squad, which means Wrexham are without Lee Roche and Lee McEvilly.

Bristol Rovers Team News: It is the case of one in and one out for the Pirates, as Rovers said goodbye to James Walker, who has rejoined Charlton following injury whilst on loan, but Paul Trollope was quick in finding his replacement with Jermal Easter joining from Cardiff in a loan move. James Hunt and Richard Walker face late fitness tests on ankle and thigh injuries respectively but Byron Anthony is struggling with a hip problem.

Man in the Middle: R Booth from Nottinghamshire - 1 red card in 12 games this season and 37 booking at an average of 3.08 per game.

Other Games

Top of the table Walsall entertain MK Dons on the weekend as they look to maintain first position with second placed Lincoln travelling to third placed Swindon.

The Robins could not asked for more of a difficult task to begin life without Denis Wise and Gus Poyet with a game against the inform Imps, who thrashed Rochdale 7-1 last weekend.

Paul Ince begins his managerial career at Macclesfield this weekend and he will be looking to steer the Silkmen to their first win of the season as they take on Mansfield at home.

Venue Guide

Address: Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham, LL11 1AH

Telephone Number: 01978 262129

Fax Number: 01978 357821

Web Site: www.wrexhamafc.co.uk

Rovers Websites

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

How to get there?

By Car: Leave the M6 at Junction 10a to join the M54 and continue on this road as it becomes the A5 past Shrewsbury and Oswestry. When you reach Oswestry turn right at the roundabout (An ESSO Service Station will be on your left), staying on the A5. Continue straight through the series of roundabouts to join the A483 and leave this road at the junction with a A541. At the roundabout turn right towards Wrexham and after going straight over the next roundabout the ground is ahead of you on your left.

By Train: Wrexham General is next to the ground and there is a service every two hours between Chester and Shrewsbury. There is also an hourly service between Wrexham and Liverpool. Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.

Beer and Grub: The Turf is right next to the Kop but it gets very busy in the hour leading up to kick off, so arrive early. The Official Supporters Club has use of the Centenary Club on matchdays and this is located behind the Sainsburys Stand with the entrance off the club car park. The Plas Coch Retail Park has a pub and is normally a favourite for away supporters. The Railway is located down the side road along the Remploy factory at the opposite end of Crispin Lane to the ground. There are plenty of pubs in the town centre and the closet to the ground is a Wetherspoons Pub by following Mold Road into the town centre and is found on your left hand side. If you continue into the town centre McDonalds will be on your left and the next pub you reach is The Horse and Jockey and opposite that under the archway is a good chip shop. There are more pubs on High Street and to find them continue pass the Horse and Jockey, passing Burger King on your left, and High Street is the junction with Burtons.

Cash Machines: The Shell Garage on Mold Road with further machines at Sainsburys and Boots on the Plas Coch Retail Park. If you are heading into the town centre you will pass a number of banks on your way to the pubs.

How much to get in?

Family Tickets:

1 Adult & 1 Children: £21 all areas

1 Adult & 2 Children: £26 all areas

2 adults & 2 Children: £42 all areas

Must be purchased in advance from the ticket office

Young Persons: Only available to members and tickets must be purchased in advance from the ticket office.

Disabled Facilities

Weather Forecast