Rovers prepared for Raiders visit, but Mustoe has selection headache

It has taken until 18 January but it appear Tuffley Rovers will finally play in 2025, with the weather now significantly improved from the wind, rain and deep freeze experienced over the past few weeks, and Neil Mustoe’s squad will welcome Worcester Raiders as the visitors to Glevum Park on Saturday afternoon (3pm KO).

After a quiet few weeks, Mustoe’s charges will be straight back into a hectic fixture schedule, which will see them host Raiders on Saturday afternoon, then face trips to Stonehouse Town in the Floodlit Cup and Hartpury University in the Premier Division on Tuesday and Saturday, respectively.

Rovers will then host Shortwood United in the Hellenic League Marsh Challenge Cup on 28 January, before hosting Westfields on 1 February. So, 22 days without a game, followed by five games in 15 days!

Mustoe will need to look carefully at his numbers, but will definitely be without Mark Pritchett on Saturday, as the experienced centre-half serves out a suspension incurred during Rovers’ Boxing Day defeat against Longlevens. Otherwise, the Rovers boss is looking at an almost fully-fit and available squad, leaving him with some difficult decisions around selection.

The official match-day programme for the fixture is now available online, with printed copies on sale at the turnstiles.