Rare opportunity for Rovers at Lydney

A 3pm Saturday afternoon kick-off in a Hellenic League Premier Division fixture between two Gloucestershire sides might not sound that unusual, but when Tuffley Rovers visit Lydney Town on 10 August it will be only the second time that the two teams have met at 3pm on a Saturday since the two clubs started competing in the Premier Division in the 2015/16 season.

The one time the two teams did meet at the traditional English kick-off time, in 2021/22, Town ran out comprehensive 4-0 winners with Rich Cox at the Rovers helm at that time. There had been one other 3pm kick-off prior to that, back in 2018/19 when Paul Carter missed a penalty for Rovers in a 0-0 draw.

Last season Rovers recorded a rare win at Swan Road, with the 3-2 victory their first Hellenic League Premier Division win as visitors there, and they’ve only taken 6 points from seven visits, with 1-1 draws in 2015/16 and 2022/23 the other occasions when they’ve secured a point.

Whatever the history of the game, Neil Mustoe’s side will arrive at The Recreation Ground in good spirits, after defeating Slimbridge 3-0 in midweek which was a first win against The Swans in many years. Perhaps that might be a good omen for The Rovers this weekend? History is for the making, as much as anything.