Cup Q/F looms for Mustoe’s young squad

Shortly after Neil Mustoe took charge as Tuffley Rovers’ interim manager in January 2022, he took a very young squad to Bradford Town and what followed was a chastening experience that saw Tuffley Rovers return to Glevum Park off the back of a 7-1 defeat.

Tonight at their home another young squad will look to challenge the same opposition for a place in the Bluefin Sports Hellenic League Challenge Cup semi-finals, as they come together for a quarter-final tie that will kick-off at 7:45pm.

Mustoe is looking forward to the opportunity to advance in the competition – with a trip to Hereford Pegasus in store for the winners of tonight’s game – but recognises the challenge his side face after his experience at Bradford Town.

“That visit to Bradford Town was a game that proved to be a bit of an eye opener for me, as I was introduced to the league and squad”, he reflected. “It certainly gave me a sense of what we were going to need to get the job done of securing our Hellenic Premier Division status.”

“Since that game, other than the last league game against Fairford Town, we either got a result or lost by the odd goal and were competitive in every game. That is what I asked after the 7-1 defeat at Bradford Town.”

“We did have a few injuries and suspensions – and what seemed to be a very long sin-bin – when we played at Bradford, but we were well beaten on the day. Tonight we will have to be organised, disciplined and concentrating fully if we are to get a result tonight and combat their strengths. We will also need to be better with the ball and our decision making as we have not tested the opposition goalkeeper often enough in the last few games.”

The match-day programme is now available online and printed copies will be available on the turnstiles.