Northampton Town v Bristol Rovers
Sky Bet League One, Sixfields Stadium, Saturday 22 February 2025, 3pm KO
Bristol Rovers will be seeking a return to winning ways when the Gas travel to Sixfields Stadium to play Northampton Town.
The Pirates were beaten 2-0 by promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers in midweek but were unbeaten in the three matches prior to Tuesday’s clash, picking up seven points.
That trio of games were all at The Memorial Stadium, however, with Iñigo Calderón’s men looking for a first away win since the 1-0 victory over Cambridge United at the start of January.
Kevin Nolan’s Northampton sit 19th in the Sky Bet League One table, one place and two points below the Gas.
Tickets…
Online sales and in-person sales at the ticket office have now concluded for Saturday’s trip to Northampton Town, but Gasheads wishing to attend can make use of the Pay On The Day option.
Supporters attending and purchasing tickets on the day should note that sales are by card only. Adult tickets are £26, concessions are £22 and U18s are £14 at Sixfields Stadium for on-the-day purchases.
Travel…
Roughly a 110 mile journey from The Memorial Stadium, supporters who are driving to Sixfields Stadium on Saturday are advised to allow around two-and-a-half hours each way for the journey.
Fans could make use of the M4 before leaving at junction 15 onto the A4312 exit towards Oxford and Swindon, linking up with the A420 past Faringdon before joining the A34 and heading north onto the A43 into Northampton.
Alternatively, head M5 northbound and join the A436, and follow the road onto the A429, A44 and finally A43 again into Northampton.
For supporters utilising trains, there are regular services between Bristol Temple Mead and Northampton with one change, at Birmingham New Street. Return trains run into the evening on Saturday but fans should allow three hours each way for the journey.
Opposition…
It is interestingly close in Sky Bet League One between Bristol Rovers and Northampton Town.
Just one place and two points separate the two sides above the relegation zone, with both sides picking up seven points in their last six games in the league. One could say this is a a very close game to call.
Look closer and there are even more comparisons to be drawn. While Rovers fans celebrated Boxing Day with a late Christmas present in the form of the announcement of new head coach Iñigo Calderón, Northampton fans received theirs just three days earlier as former West Ham United, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers captain Kevin Nolan was confirmed as their new manager.
Having previously coached Leyton Orient and Notts County, Nolan had most recently worked under David Moyes back at West Ham before departing the Premier League side last May. A point to prove as a manager in his own right, Nolan appears to be relishing the chance to be in the hot seat once again.
Having been back in League One since earning promotion in 2022/23, Northampton are a team steadily on the up. A newly built East Stand, one ten years in the making, has finally been completed and is due to open in the coming weeks.
All involved will be hoping their stay in the third tier can be extended with even more positive results.
Previous Meetings…
Recent history is on Bristol Rovers’ side when it comes to facing Northampton Town.
Of the last 13 matches played against the Cobblers, the Gas have claimed victory on nine occasions, including a 1-0 win on the opening day of this season with Bryant Bilongo’s late winner sending the home fans at The Memorial Stadium into ecstatic pandemonium.
Also included in that immense run of games is a 6-0 win at Sixfields Stadium, of which five goals were scored in the second half; including two from Ellis Harrison.
In fact, the only defeat against Northampton Town in recent history for Rovers actually came away from home last season, when Patrick Brough, Mitch Pinnock and Marc Leonard scored for the hosts in a 3-1 win over the Pirates. Chris Martin got on the score-sheet for Rovers that day almost a year ago exactly.
Match Officials…
Referee: Matthew Russell
Assistant Referees: Andy Bennett & Scott Williams
Fourth Official: Harry Wager
