IN-FORM Forest Green are set to name an unchanged side for the fifth successive time as they lock horns with Bristol Rovers at The New Lawn this lunchtime (1pm).

The  BT Sport televised West Country derby is rexpected to draw a record attendance of more than 3,500.

Boss Ady Pennock saw his side go top on Friday night after gaining a point at Aldershot Town.

Lee Hughes’ third strike of the season ensured Forest Green maintained their pleasing start to the campaign as we welcome a Bristol Rovers outfit who earned their first victory on Saturday – defeating last season’s Conference North champions, AFC Telford United, at their Memorial Stadium home.

Pennock was a happy man after a promising second half performance. He said: “I was disappointed with the first half – I thought we were poor. I said a few words at half time as you do and I thought we came out second half all guns blazing, that was much better.

“It was a good test. To come away with a point I’d take that all day long. It is very pleasing.

“We’ve got a great game at home on Monday but I am very pleased with this performance and result. It was a first class result.”

His attentions are now fully focussed on this Monday’s game. He went to watch Bristol Rovers in action on Saturday and is relishing testing his side in such a massive fixture.

He added: “It’s only about three points for me. It is a fantastic occasion for the football club.

“I said to the chairman when I first came that I would like to see the stadium in a league game as a full house and that is what we are going to get on Monday.

“So I think it is breaking all of the records as well for a league attendance for us. Let’s just get the three points and then celebrate afterwards.

“Bristol Rovers will be up there at the end of the season and we know that. It’s a big game and it is so early in the season so if we can get three points it will be a big plus for us.”

Monday’s game is an all-ticket fixture and tickets will therefore not be available to purchase on the day of the game.

A park-and-ride facility will be in force and it is advised that supporters leave plenty of time when arriving, collecting tickets and when leaving the stadium.

Forest Green and Bristol Rovers have faced each other many times before in pre-season friendlies.

However the first ever league meeting between the two clubs promises to be an exciting one as the Pirates make the short 29 mile trip from Bristol to Nailsworth.

Defensive duo David Pipe and Danny Coles both turned out for the Pirates in the Football League. Monday’s visitors paid £50,000 to sign Pipe while Coles had a loan spell and permanent spell at the Memorial Stadium.
 

The Gas were relegated into the Vanarama Conference after finishing in 23rd place. They were defeated by former Conference champions Mansfield Town on the last day and subsequently dropped out of the Football League.

They go into Monday’s tie 15th in the table with four points on the board from four games. They are currently six points behind FGR who sit second, two points behind table toppers FC Halifax Town who are the only team in the league with a 100 per cent record.

Monday’s visitors began the season with a televised 0-0 draw with Grimsby. Back-to-back defeats against Barnet and Altrincham followed ahead of Saturday’s win over the Bucks in front of a crowd of 5,450 at the Memorial Stadium.