.jpg)
The Bulls travel to the Memorial Ground looking for their first League Two win of the season.
The two sides last met in a Johnstones Paint Trophy match at Edgar Street nearly two years ago. That goalless draw saw the Bulls win on penalties to progress with only Adam Bartlett and Kenny Lunt surviving in the Bulls squad from that night. The previous season the Bulls had been relegated from League One, losing both matches to the Pirates. Steve Guinan scored in the away match but it was a mere consolation as the hosts had already scored six.
The Pirates sit ninth in the early table but are yet to show signs of the firepower and ability that Paul Buckle assembled in the summer. Tuesday's penalties win over Watford will have sapped their energy levels, while last Saturday's goalless match with Macclesfield suggested they can be stifled. Two former Bulls could be on parade on Saturday with Craig Stanley and Joe Anyinsah both in their squad. Stanley has been a regular starter so far, but Anyinsah has missed the last two matches with injury and remains a doubt.
The Bulls' ability to perform better on the road seems to have carried into the new season. Tuesday's game at Villa Park might have been a long rearguard action, but it renewed confidence and belief both on and off the pitch. Two of the outstanding performers that night will now face their former side on Saturday. Ryan Green returns to the Memorial Ground after an injury hit three year spell there that split his time at Edgar Street, while Harry Pell makes a swift return barely two months after leaving. Pell is their current Young Player of the Year, and will be wanting to show the fans that voted him that award quite what they are missing.
Bristol Rovers vs Hereford United, Memorial Ground, Saturday 27th August, 3.00pm.
