Fleetwood Town face Bristol Rovers on Saturday 6 February at Highbury Stadium in Sky Bet League One, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 3pm kick-off in our match preview.
Fixture: Fleetwood Town v Bristol Rovers
Competition: Sky Bet League One
Date: Saturday 6 February 2021
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Highbury Stadium, Park Avenue, Fleetwood, FY7 6TX
Match officials: Sebastian Stockbridge (Referee), Paul Graham & Graeme Fyvie (Assistant Referees), Mark Cunliffe (Fourth Official)
FLEETWOOD TOWN
Town are heading into Saturday’s game at Highbury with a new Head Coach at the reigns, as Simon Grayson looks to take all three points in his first game at the helm.
Last time out, Fleetwood had the cards stacked as they lost 1-0 to Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium. Charlie Mulgrew received a red card after bringing Matty Taylor down as the last man early in the game, and soon after, the home side then took the lead through full-back Josh Ruffels. Even though Town pressed until the final whistle, they were unable to forge a comeback.
In the game before that, Fleetwood created chances throughout their game against Northampton Town and looked the most likely to break the deadlock but couldn’t seem to find a way past Jonathan Mitchell between the sticks in the Cobblers goal, with the game finishing 0-0 at Highbury.
BRISTOL ROVERS
The Gas head into the clash at Highbury after winning just one of their last ten games in all competitions, with that being a 2-1 victory over Blackpool at the turn of the year.
Rovers headed to another side in Lancashire last time out as they faced Accrington Stanley, but that game didn’t go their way, as they lost 6-1 on the night. Sam Nicholson cancelled out an early Joe Pritchard goal but a hat-trick from Dion Charles, and a race from Colby Bishop sent Paul Tisdale’s side back to Bristol empty-handed.
They didn’t have much more luck in the game before as they lost 2-1 at home to Rochdale. They went behind after quarter of an hour, through an Alex Newby goal but, Luke Leahy drew The Gas level ten minutes before the half. Dale secured the winner midway through the second half, yet again, through Newby and took all three points.
ONE TO WATCH: SAM NICHOLSON
One to watch from Bristol is midfielder, Sam Nicholson. The 26-year-old has had an interesting career so far, as he has played in three countries in the last four years.
Nicholson started out his career at Hearts, after coming through the youth ranks in August 2012, and would spend the next five years playing for the team from Scotland. He had to wait 17 months for his first goal for his boyhood club, but it was a pivotal one as he completed the comeback in a 3-3 draw against St Johnstone. He would eventually win the Scottish Championship with the side before moving on three years later.
In 2017, the Edinburgh-born winger made the move to the United States, joining Minnesota United in their inaugural season in the MLS. He only spent a season and a half in Minnesota but managed to make 20 appearances and score two goals in that time, before being traded to Colorado Rapids in May 2018.
Nicholson would reach his first major milestone in Colorado as he went on to play 50 games over three seasons for the side based in Denver. It was rare for him to find the net in his time there as he averaged two goals a season and was eventually sold, to League One side Bristol Rovers in July 2020.
The tricky winger has already made 19 appearances for The Gas in his first season at the Memorial Stadium, finding the back of the net on five occasions, with the last one coming in the side’s last outing against Accrington.
WATCH TOWN ON iFOLLOW!
Supporters can now purchase video match passes for Fleetwood Town’s Sky Bet League One clash against Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
With fans still unable to attend games, the iFollow match pass is your best option to watch the Cod Army play.
Simon Grayson's side are set to face The Gas in a league clash at Highbury on Saturday, with Town looking to get back to winning ways - and you can watch the game for just £10!
If you'd like to purchase your match pass, click HERE.
