Rovers Welcome Chelsea's U21 side to the Memorial Stadium
Joey Barton's side go into this Papa John's Trophy fixture against Chelsea's development side in poor form and will be looking to put together a good cup run to appease the Gas Head faithful.
Rovers have faced Andy Myer's side in the same competition in each of the previous two seasons. The first, played in late September 2019 at the Mem, saw The Pirates run out 2-1 winners with goals from Victor Adeboyejo and Liam Sercombe cancelling out Charlie Brown's (not that one) first half strike. The second in 2020, another home match, was a dramatic affair - ending 4-3 to, caretaker manager, Tommy Widdrington's Rovers team. Brandon Hanlan's early finish was cancelled out by Tino Anjorin a minute later before Sam Nicholson put his side back ahead again on the 15th minute. Zain Westbrooke appeared to put the result beyond all doubt on 57', but goals from Marcel Lewis and Anjorin made the score 3-3. However, The Gas found their winner on the 90th minute through, defender, Josh Hare.
Rovers fans will be hoping for a game just as dramatic as the last to dispell the bad mood in North Bristol following the team's early season form.
About Bristol Rovers
Nicknamed The Pirates and The Gas, Bristol Rovers Football Club were established in 1883 and currently play in the EFL League Two, the fourth tier of English football.
The club plays its home matches at the 12,300 capacity Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of Bristol. Having been bought by billionaire Jordanian Waed al-Qadi and his family in 2016, Rovers have struggled to live up to expectations and will be looking to prove doubters wrong in the 2021/22 season.
Bristol Rovers have played in the English football league since 1920, with their best-ever finish being in both 1956 and 1959 when they secured sixth place in the second tier of English football, then known as Division Two.
Having suffered relegation to League Two in 2011 and then into the Conference in 2014, they managed to bounce straight back with two consecutive promotions in 2014/15 and 2015/16 to regain their League One status in 2016/17, where they remained for 4 years before their relegation back to League Two last season.
The club's honours include the 1990 Football League Third Division title when they finished 2 points ahead of arch-rivals and that seasons Runners-Up, Bristol City. Find Bristol Rovers' full 2020/21 fixture list here.