Home is where the hope is….

After a stunning comeback to earn a point against the league leaders, Bishops Cleeve, last weekend Tuffley Rovers will be looking to banish the memory of what is arguably their worst result tomorrow, when they welcome Hereford Lads Club to Glevum Park, just over three months after then manager Rich Cox oversaw a 9-1 defeat at the County Ground, Hereford.

With nine league games remaining, interim boss Neil Mustoe finds his side 18th in the twenty team Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division, with a six point gap between them and Calne Town, the team currently sitting in 19th (the highest relegation placing). However, the recent win at home against Shrivenham – Rovers’ first since October – and the home point against Cleeve have brought renewed hope of a move away from trouble. Four points out of twelve available at Glevum Park since Mustoe took on the role doesn’t round like it should offer much hope, but it is a pleasant contrast to zero points from the twenty-one points available up to the new manager taking the reins.

Lads Club arrive at Glevum Park after defeating Calne 6-2 at home last week and have won three games in a row, but they have lost their last two games away from the County Ground and with only five wins from thirteen games on the road this season, Mustoe might be hoping that his own team’s resurgence in form will carry his side to a result that might open up additional space between them and the sides in the relegation spaces, as the season draws towards a conclusion.

Sam Mendes is the only withdrawal from the squad that turned out against Bishops Cleeve seven days ago, as he has been nursing a groin injury, and Lewis Bainbridge replaces him, having missed the previous game.

As ever, Rovers have produced their match-day programme for the fixture, which is available online now. Printed copies will also be on sale at the turnstiles.

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