Match Preview | Bristol Rovers v Argyle
On Tuesday night, Argyle meet Bristol Rovers for the third time this season, this time in the quarter-final of the Papa Johns Trophy.
The sides met in the group stage of the competition, at Home Park in August, drawing 1-1 in 90 minutes. Ryan Loft put Rovers ahead on 50 minutes, with Ryan Hardie equalising for Argyle eight minutes later. The teams engaged in a penalty shoot-out for an extra point, which Argyle won.
In October, Rovers and Argyle met again, this time at the Memorial Stadium, in Sky Bet League One. Once again, the game finished in a draw, but Argyle had led the game 2-0, with goals from Finn Azaz and Adam Randell, before Josh Coburn and Aaron Collins levelled for the Gas.
The stage is now set for the teams to square off at the Memorial Stadium again. It is only the second time Argyle have been to the last eight of this competition, in any format. The other time was in the competition’s inaugural year, in its original incarnation as the Associate Member’s Cup.
This season, Argyle and Rovers progressed through a group that also contained Swindon Town and Crystal Palace Under-21s. Argyle won their next game 3-2 against Charlton Athletic, while Rovers won 2-1 at Colchester United.
In the round of 16, Argyle looked like making an exit when they went 3-0 down to Wimbledon, but rallied to draw 3-3 thanks to a Sam Cosgrove hat-trick, and then won a shoot-out. Rovers had an easier passage, winning 4-1 at home to Milton Keynes Dons.
Rovers have twice been runners-up in the competition – in 1989/90 and 2006/07 – and got to the last four as recently as three seasons ago, losing to Sunderland in the semi-final.
In the league this season, Rovers have risen to eighth in the Sky Bet League One table, with 37 points from 26 games. It did not start so well for Rovers, who won just two of their first 13 games in all competitions. However, they have lost just four of the last 22 since then.
In their two games in 2023 so far, Rovers have won both 2-1, winning at home to Cheltenham Town and away at Cambridge United.
Aaron Collins has been an ever-present for Rovers in the league, playing all 26 games and scoring 13 goals. His strike partner Josh Coburn, who made his Gas debut in October, on loan from Middlesbrough, has scored nine in 15. Former Pilgrims in the squad include Josh Grant, who has made just one substitute appearance in the league this season, and Scott Sinclair, who made his return to Rovers when they met Argyle in October, and has since scored four times in 15 games.
Team News
James Bolton is likely to be involved as he continues his return from long-term injury. Recent arrivals Ben Waine, Callum Wright and Jay Matete could be involved, as Steven Schumacher says their need minutes. Fellow new signings Saxon Earley and Tyreik Wright will not play, as they are cup-tied.
Schumacher Says
“They are in great form at the moment, their forwards in particular have been on fire. They have two of the best performing centre-forwards in the division. If they play, we will have to aware of their threats.
“We’ve got forwards who have got ten goals each, so it should be an end-to-end, exciting game. It will be competitive and it will be feisty, because that’s the type of game it will be. We’re looking forward to it and we will be ready.”
Tickets
Supporters will be able to buy tickets on the day from the Away Booth on the Away Turnstile, but payment is by card only.
Tickets are available for collection from the Home Park Ticket Office until 1pm on Tuesday, 10 January. Collection of remaining tickets, not collected from Home Park, will be also be from Away Booth next to the Away Turnstile on the evening of the match. ID may be required.
If you were expecting to receive your ticket in the post and it has not arrived, please contact the Home Park Ticket Office either by phone on 01752 907700 or via email on tickets@pafc.co.uk for duplicates to be arranged for collection by 11am on Tuesday, 10 January. Duplicate requests will not be accepted after this.
Argyle TV
The game is available to stream for domestic and overseas supporters, with commentary from Charlie Price and Brian McGlinchey.
