Match Preview - Rovers v Ipswich Town

13 February 2023

A look ahead to our Valentine's Day clash at The Mem.

Manager Preview

Joey Barton said it is crucial that Rovers return to winning ways as quickly as possible after Saturday's defeat against Lincoln City:

"It’s always disappointing when you lose games. Nothing can replace the winning feeling, so we’ve got to get back to that as soon as possible with Ipswich and Burton to come at home.

"The games come at you thick and fast, which is good for us. You don’t have a lot of time to dwell on it. I’m hoping we can use the anger and frustration of today because our players feel aggrieved at some of the decisions that were made to spur that into positive results and performances in the near future."

Opposition View

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has warned that his side will need to be 'physically and mentally' ready ahead of Tuesday night's clash at The Mem:

"I am looking forward to the game tomorrow and I haven't been to The Memorial Stadium before. Every game is tough and we need to be ready both physically and mentally.

"We have recovered as well as we can, and we will focus on everything we can do to be set for the game.

"Bristol Rovers have individual threats and there are things we need to be prepared for, but we'll focus on ourselves and delivering a performance."

Form Guide

Ipswich Town drew in their last outing in the league. A pulsating 2-2 draw against promotion rivals Sheffield Wednesday saw Town extend their undefeated streak to three games. In that run, the Tractor Boys have picked up points against Morecambe and Cambridge.

How to Watch

Tomorrow's game is available to stream live on iFollow!

Fans are able to purchase a match pass for £10 with the majority of the revenue coming back to the club.

To find out more about iFollow, please click HERE.

Tickets

Tickets for tomorrow evening's clash can be purchased HERE.

Ref Watch

Paul Howard is the referee for tomorrow's meeting with Ipswich Town at The Mem. Referee Howard has taken charge of one game in League One this season but has officiated nine games in League Two. His sole refereeing performance in League One was in Wycombe's 1-0 victory over Charlton Athletic at The Valley on New Year's Day.

Match Reports

Match Report - Rovers 0-0 Ipswich Town

14 February 2023

Rovers and Ipswich played out an entertaining goalless draw on Valentine's Day.

The Gas made three changes from Saturday as they looked to put an end to a four-match losing streak in the league. Sinclair, Bogarde and Anderson replacing Loft, McCormick and Coburn.

Rovers began brightly and should have been ahead after thirteen minutes, when Quansah rose highest to meet an Evans corner, only to head over the bar.

Three minutes later, Scott Sinclair made a lightning break and beat three men, before his run was halted by what looked like a foul; referee Howard was unmoved.

The experienced Aluko was looking to provide a spark for the visitors, dropping into space on the right flank. Burns went close from a corner, volleying narrowly wide from a tight angle.

As an Ipswich attack broke down in the 35th minute, Evans arrowed a sixty-yard ball from inside his own area to the feet of Collins, but Woolfenden cleared the danger.

Rovers' best chance came in the 38th minute when the impressive Evans waltzed past two challenges and slid in Collins, whose shot was on target but lacked sufficient power to beat Walton. A minute later, the striker fired over following a fine run down the right flank from Gibbons as the Gas upped the heat.

Ladopo wriggled free on the edge of the area and fired on target, but Balcombe was right behind it.

Rovers got us back underway for the second half, attacking the Thatchers End. Ipswich won a free-kick in the opening minute, but Aluko dragged his shot wide. A minute later, Ladapo latched onto a flick-on but blazed over the bar. Up the other end, Harry Anderson won the Gas a free-kick by the corner flag.

Rovers coach Danny Ventre was shown a yellow card after 52 minutes for impeding an Ipswich throw-in. The Gas were soon back on the attack, with Evans and Anderson to the fore.

Anderson's flick-on found Collins and his shot was turned behind by Walton for a corner; unfortunately, Evans' delivery curled out before it went back in.

Collins ran through the heart of the Ipswich defence in the 58th minute, but the ball was scrambled away.

Rovers were inches away from taking the lead in the 69th minute as the ball was spilled by Walton and Sinclair's touch looked like it had dropped over the line but the officials disagreed.

Ipswich tested Balcombe in the 74th minute, but he beat away Broadhead's fierce close-range shot. Rovers brought Coburn and Hoole on for Bogarde and Anderson in the 77th minute.

Evans' corner in the 80th minute was met by Connolly, but his header was off target. Quansah threw his body on the line to block an Ipswich shot. From the corner, Clarke's shot was tipped behind by Balcombe.

Luca Hoole's run down the wing was halted by a crude challenge from Clarke, for which the Ipswich sub was rightly shown the game's first on-field booking of the game in the 87th minute.

As the game drew to a close, Collins and Coburn raced away but the former couldn't quite execute the killer pass. Ipswich won a corner in injury-time but man-of-the-match Quansah rose highest to head clear.

Next up for Rovers is a Sky Bet League One home game with Burton Albion on Saturday 18th February, kick-off 3pm.

ROVERS: Balcombe, Anderson, Connolly, Quansah, Gibbons, Gordon, Evans, Bogarde, Ward, Sinclair, Collins.

Subs: Jaakkola, Hoole, Marquis, McDonald, McCormick, Lawrence, Coburn.

IPSWICH: Walton, Davis, Morsy, Woolfenden, Burns, Ladapo, Harness, Burgess, Aluko, Humphreys, Donalden.

Subs: Hladky, Chaplin, Jackson, Hirst, Edwards, Broadhead, Clarke.

Attendance: 8,542

Referee: P Howard