Match preview: Bristol Rovers v Wednesday

18 April 2023

Bristol Rovers v Wednesday
Tuesday 18 April
7:45pm
League One
Memorial Stadium

Minute’s applause

Kick-off tonight will be preceded by a minute’s applause in memory of Don Megson and Colin Dobson.

Owls legend Megson played for and managed the hosts, while former Wednesday teammate Dobson represented Rovers as Don’s first signing.

Both men sadly passed away earlier this year.

THE MATCH

It’s a full programme of fixtures this evening in League One and another vital night for Wednesday.

The Owls need a positive result in the South West to maintain pressure at the top of the table.

Following a 3-0 win over Accrington eight days ago, Wednesday’s automatic promotion hopes were dealt a blow on Saturday with defeat at Burton by the odd goal in five.

With one win and four draws from the last eight games, there is plenty riding on tonight’s game for Wednesday and those around the division.

For Bristol Rovers, a recent bout of good form has seen the Gas achieve safety in League One, steering clear of any relegation danger.

Joey Barton’s side have lost only two of their last eight fixtures and won two of the previous three.

TEAM NEWS

Wednesday: Michael Ihiekwe continues to make good progress with his recovery.

The defender travelled with the squad to Burton on Saturday and was named in the starting XI for the Under-21s on Tuesday afternoon to gain valuable minutes in the PDL2 clash with QPR.

Mallik Wilks and Reece James remain sidelined alongside Josh Windass and George Byers.

Bristol Rovers: Former Owls loanee Lewis Gibson will likely maintain his place in the starting line-up for the hosts.

Liverpool loanee Jarell Quansah returns from a three-match suspension.

The Gas are unlikely to switch things up in terms of team selection with two wins and a draw from their last three.

Paul Coutts is ruled out, while long-term absentees Josh Grant and Jordan Rossiter remain on the sidelines.

TICKETS

All tickets for Wednesdayites have sold out for this fixture.

OFFICIALS

Referee – Josh Smith
Assistant Referee 1 – Hristo Karaivanov
Assistant Referee 2 – Samuel Ogles
Fourth Official – Lee Swabey

iFOLLOW

Our trip to Bristol Rovers is live on iFollow for supporters in the UK as a designated midweek fixture.

Get your Video Match Pass HERE.

SOCIAL MEDIA

The hashtag for the match is #SHWBRO

Our official Twitter account @swfc will provide a blow-by-blow text update, with team news at 6:45pm and all the key updates from Bristol.

Our official Instagram @swfcofficial will also keep you up to date on the latest events, with content uploaded to the story throughout matchday.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Tik Tok.

Subscribe and turn on notifications from our YouTube channel, where you can view extended match highlights.

LAST FIVE

SUPPORTER CONDUCT

Following anti-social behaviour incidents earlier this season, we are reinforcing the importance of all supporters staying within EFL Ground Regulations, which can be found HERE

Under the banner of ‘Love Football. Protect The Game’ the FA, Premier League and EFL have together introduced new measures and stronger sanctions across the game to tackle the increased anti-social, discriminatory and criminal behaviours seen within football grounds.

Find out more HERE

INCLUSIVITY WITH WEDNESDAY

Sheffield Wednesday are committed to fostering a fully inclusive matchday environment for all supporters, home and away. We subscribe absolutely to the EFL Code of Practice for Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination.

Find out more HERE.

Match Reports

Report: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Owls

18 April 2023

Wednesday hauled their promotion ambitions back on track with a 2-1 win at Bristol Rovers.

Darren Moore’s men turned in a thoroughly professional performance, with first half goals from Barry Bannan and Akin Famewo doing the damage.

Rovers reduced the arrears through Aaron Collins immediately after the resumption but the Owls returned to winning ways after Saturday’s reverse at Burton.

Wednesday needed a positive result to keep up the heat at the summit of League One and gave the ideal response.

Keeper James Belshaw was called into action inside five minutes from Dennis Adeniran’s low drive which set the tone for a controlled first half display.

Michael Smith took advantage of a defensive mix-up and was inches off target, with Belshaw relieved to see the ball trickle just past the post.

The Owls looked far more threatening and duly took charge, striking twice before the interval.

On 29 minutes, Smith picked the pocket of Jarell Quansah, fed Lee Gregory, who in turn found Bannan and the skipper’s finish on the angle was emphatic.

Then, four minutes from half time, it was 2-0. Rovers failed to deal with a Bannan corner and after a mini scramble on the edge of the six-yard box, Famewo scooped high into the net to claim his maiden goal in Wednesday colours.

But Rovers hit back and the Owls were caught cold straight from the restart.

A long punt upfield from Belshaw ran straight through to Collins and the striker slid coolly across Cameron Dawson to halve the deficit.

A second blow followed when Famewo limped off and Wednesday quickly had to regroup.

The hosts scented blood, though, and Josh Coburn unleashed from distance but Aden Flint got a crucial touch to divert wide.

Smith fired over the bar as the Owls began to take the sting out of the game and this they did in extended periods.

Rovers came on strong in the closing stages and substitute John Marquis had the ball in the net with 10 minutes to go only to see a raised flag cut short the celebrations and Wednesday held out for a vital three points.

Wednesday: Dawson, Palmer, Iorfa, Flint, Famewo (Bakinson 51), Johnson, Vaulks, Adeniran, Bannan, Gregory (Paterson 65), Smith

Ticket News

Ticket details: Bristol Rovers v Wednesday

2 April 2023

The Owls travel to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday 18 April (7:45pm) in Sky Bet League One and ticket details have been confirmed;

We have an allocation of 1,299 for this all-ticket fixture.

Seating

Adults: £30
65 and over: £26
Under 22: £26
Under 16: £11
Under 11: £6

Standing

Adults: £25
65 and over: £21
Under 22: £21
Under 16: £11
Under 11: £6

There are six wheelchair spaces which are priced as above plus a carer free of charge.

Inter City Owl – departs at 1:30pm from Hillsborough and Flat Street; Adults: £42, Children: £41.

Tickets sale details:

Monday 3 April (9:00am): Season Ticket holders with 1070 or more TPP

Monday 3 April (2:00pm): Season Ticket holders with 1020 or more TPP

Tuesday 4 April (9:00am): Season Ticket holders with 970 or more TPP

Tuesday 4 April (2:00pm): Season Ticket holders with 920 or more TPP

Wednesday 5 April (9:00am): Season Ticket holders with 870 or more TPP

Wednesday 5 April (2:00pm): Season Ticket holders with 820 or more TPP

Thursday 6 April (9:00am): Season Ticket holders with 770 or more TPP

Thursday 6 April (2:00pm): Season Ticket holders with 720 or more TPP

Tuesday 11 April (9:00am): Season Ticket holders with 670 or more TPP

Tuesday 11 April (2:00pm): Season Ticket holders with 620 or more TPP

Wednesday 12 April (9:00am): Season Ticket holders with 570 or more TPP

Wednesday 12 April (2:00pm): Season Ticket holders with 520 or more TPP

Thursday 13 April (9:00am): Season Ticket holders with 470 or more TPP

Thursday 13 April (2:00pm): Season Ticket holders

Friday 14 April (9:00am): Members and Owls Foundation Members

Friday 14 April (2:00pm): General sale

Please note that sale dates are subject to availability.

Online Priority Point sale periods - when we enter a new sale period where fewer Ticket Priority Points are required, supporters with tickets stored in their online basket from the previous phase of sale will have those removed.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the Ticket Office, Online Shop or by telephone on 03700 201867 (option 1 - £2 booking fee per ticket)

Supporters who attend this game and purchase in advance will receive 10 Ticket Priority Points.

For certain away games, including this fixture, fans can choose the row and seat numbers when booking online, though we are unable to group different bookings from different sale phases together.

Supporters must log in before purchase and note that the game will only show as available to buy with the relevant amount of Ticket Priority Points.