Rovers begin season at league newcomers

After the build up of a competitive pre-season Tuffley Rovers will begin the 2024/25 competitive season with an Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division fixture at newly promoted Sporting Club Inkberrow on Wednesday evening.

Inkberrow were promoted after Hereford Lads Club withdrew from the League, despite having lost the 2023/24 Division One play-off final, but they will be anything but making up the numbers as they compete at Step 5 for the first time in their history. The Worcestershire side won 20 out of their 36 league wins in their promotion season and will be hoping to start the season well.

Rovers finished the 2023/24 season on an impressive run of form, amongst the biggest points accumulators after Christmas and will be hoping for a bright start from this opening fixture. Rovers have not recorded a win on the opening day of the season since defeating Highworth Town 2-1 in 2016/17, and their last two opening fixtures have ended in 0-0 draws.

Neil Mustoe has been buoyed by some positive performances in pre-season but he will be acutely aware that the trip to Inkberrow will bring an entirely different challenge. His cause is not assisted by the unavailability of experienced defender Mark Pritchett, whilst Corey Warrington is still absent following a shoulder injury picked up in pre-season.

Several players are in line to mark Hellenic League debuts for Rovers, with new signings Eli Simpson and Dean Turner likely to be joined in the squad by Josh Stevens, Cole Clinton, Harley Mustoe and youngster Riley Bourne.

The game kicks-off at 7:45pm on Wednesday, 31 July at The Recreation Ground, Sands Road, Inkberrow, WR7 4HJ.