No room left at Wealdstone for Sky Blues army
BRISTOL Rovers travel to Coventry City riding on the crest of an impressive run that’s seen them lose just one game in their last 11 to leave them dreaming of a third consecutive promotion party.
And the Pirates – perfectly poised just three points off the play-off places – will be backed by a staggering 4,000 fans making their first trip to the Ricoh Arena in the first meeting of the two clubs in the city in more than 50 years.
The last time the two teams met in Coventry was twice in the space of a fortnight in 1963 when the Sky Blues beat them comprehensively 4-2 at Highfield Road in the old Third Division before Rovers turned the tables a couple of weeks later with a 2-1 away win in the FA Cup.
The sides have met just once in the modern era – a miserable 4-1 Boxing Day thumping at the Memorial Sta- dium in Russell Slade’s first game in charge last December – leaving Darrell Clarke’s men hungry to do the double over rock bottom City.
And his side travel in fine fettle, the manager is forced to make changes due to the international weekend.
“Rovers will be missing two defenders on international duty, and the possibility of a third call-up, Darrell Clarke will have to shuffle his defensive pack for the match,” says Jack Vittles, of the Bristol Post.
“On loan centre-back Ryan Sweeney HUNDREDS of Wembleybound Coventry City fans will be stopping off at Wealdstone FC on the way to the Checkatrade Trophy final.
The non-league club are providing free parking and hosting car and coach loads of the Sky Blue Army but has played every match since his arrival at the Memorial Stadium in January but will not be in Rovers’ side due to his call up to the Republic or Ireland Under-21 squad. Since joining Rovers, Sweeney has struck up a solid partnership with captain Tom Lockyer – the two conceding just eight goals in 11 matches together.
“Rovers’ recent good run of one defeat in their last 11 matches has been based on a solid defensive record as well as a settled back four. Although Lockyer looks set to line up there’s no more room left.
The Conference South club – which is based at Ruislip, just a 20 minute train ride from Wembley – has been inundated with bookings from City fans who will park up and enjoy some pre-match refreshments before heading off to the against Coventry barring a last minute call up to the Wales squad – he is on the standby list – Rovers will still need to settle on a new central defensive partner for him.
“Chelsea loanee Jake Clarke-Salter is also unavailable for the clash due to being away with England Under 20s, meaning that Clarke’s hands are forced even more.
“One option would be to bring in Jonny Burn to the centre of defence to play alongside Lockyer. The centreback has been limited to just one match against Oxford United. Wealdstone has hosted fans of several big clubs because of its proximity to the national stadium and around 500 Coventry fans are set to benefit from their hospitality on April 2.
A Wealdstone FC spokesman said: “I have been inundated with calls since the Coventry Telegraph publicised our offer. We’re looking forward to welcoming Coventry fans but unfortunately we do not have room for more because we’re full to capacity.”