Shrewsbury Town v Bristol Rovers
Sky Bet League Two, The Croud Meadow, Thursday 1 January 2026, 3:00pm KO
Bristol Rovers will look to start 2026 strongly when they travel to Shrewsbury Town in Sky Bet League Two on New Year's Day.
The Pirates ended 2025 with a defeat to Barnet at The Memorial Stadium, with goals from Adam Senior and Ryan Glover either side of half-time helping the Bees to all three points.
It was a disappointing result for Rovers, who had taken steps forward in Steve Evans' first two fixtures as Head Coach. The Gas ended a torrid losing run with an away point against Crewe Alexandra before dominating most of the game in a 3-2 loss to Bromley, going two goals ahead in the first half before the Ravens staged a comeback.
The Pirates will want to put a frustrating year behind them and collect a first league win since September when they face Shrewsbury Town on Thursday. Michael Appleton's men fell to defeat against Grimsby Town on Monday night, with Justin Amaluzor netting a late winner.
Read everything you need to know about the fixture below...
Tickets...
Supporters can purchase tickets for our away fixture against Shrewsbury Town on the day of the game at the Croud Meadow by cash only.
Travel...
By car, start on the M4 motorway heading east. Merge onto the M5 northbound, then take the exit for the M54 towards Telford. Continue on the M54 until it ends, merging onto the A5. Follow the A5 and then take the A49 towards Shrewsbury. As you approach the town, follow signs for the stadium.
Please note, there is no parking at the football ground for away fans. Official parking can be found at Meole Brace Park and Ride (SY3 9NB) for £5.00 cash. This is a short walk to the stadium. (Follow the signs to Darwin’s Walk, Bellway Housing Development to the car park). Sainsburys parking can be pre-booked at www.yourparkingspace.co.uk
Free parking can be found at Shrewsbury Business Park (SY2 6LG) and is approximately a 15-20 minute walk.
The stadium is approximately a one hour walk from the railway station. Fans arriving by train in the Town Centre are welcome to drink at the Claremont Social Tap (SY1 1QG) which has live sport and is a short walk from the train station.
Opposition...
Ten years after coming up from League Two under manager Micky Mellon, Shrewsbury were relegated from the third-tier last season. After a slow start to the 2024/25 campaign under Paul Hurst, Gareth Ainsworth helped guide the Shrews to victories over Wrexham and Birmingham City, but they could not build on their early good form.
Ainsworth departed for Gillingham in March, and Appleton was unable to steer Shrewsbury to safety. They started the new campaign with only one win in their first 11 fixtures in Sky Bet League Two, beating Barnet 3-1, putting them in the relegation zone.
However, three wins in five fixtures against Cambridge United, Crawley Town and Newport County, but have not claimed a victory since their 3-1 triumph over the Exiles and are winless in six matches.
Previous Meetings...
Rovers have only lost one of their last eight meetings with Shrewsbury and collected four points against the Shrews in the 2024/25 season. Jamie Lindsay scored a spectacular winner to help the Gas to a victory at The Mem in October before the two teams played out a goalless draw in the reverse fixture.
The Pirates' last victory at the Croud Meadow came in September 2023, when John Marquis and Aaron Collins netted in the second half. Shrewsbury's previous win against Rovers came right at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, with Luke Leahy and Rob Street netting in a 2-1 triumph.
Overall, Rovers have beaten Shrewsbury 34 times, drawing on 19 occasions and losing 22.
Match Officials...
Referee: Robert Massey‑Ellis
Assistant Referees: Oliver Bickle and Oliver Nolan
Fourth Official: Daniel Robinson
