Preparations complete – let the season commence!

Tuffley Rovers concluded a pre-season schedule that had seen them play seven fixtures in total, with a 1-1 draw against Uhlsport Hellenic League side Clanfield 85 FC on Saturday.

Neil Mustoe’s side have recorded four victories, two defeats and the draw with Clanfield since returning to action on 9 July and the run of games has presented Mustoe with an opportunity to bed in a number of new signings, as well as some promising youngsters from the club’s Development Squad. Twelve goals were scored in those games, with just five conceded, but that is largely an academic statistic and Mustoe’s focus has been on bringing together a new group of players ahead of the competitive season.

Josh Stevens, Tyrel Roberts and Harley Mustoe have all progressed into the first team set-up during the preparations for the season, whilst the Rovers manager has also been able to add former Brimscombe & Thrupp duo Eli Simpson and Dean Turner into his squad, as well other new signings in Cole Clinton, Matt Lee, and Corey Warrington.

It was Roberts who scored Rovers’ final goal of pre-season on Saturday, heading home Karnell Chambers’ cross from close range, to earn a draw that was very much deserved against strong opposition from Oxfordshire.

With the new season set to begin with a flurry of games – a season opener at Sporting Club Inkberrow on Wednesday, will be followed by an FA Cup tie at home to Kidlington FC on Saturday, before a home league game against Slimbridge on Tuesday, 6 August – Mustoe will be hoping that it is a case preparation paying off, as his side look to continue the good form that they showed in the second half of 2023/24.