Forest Green Rovers head to Bristol for the second round of fixtures in the SWRWFL Premier Division. The two sides meet in the league just five months after playing out an entertaining friendly in front of 2,247 fans at the Memorial Stadium, in Bristol, as part of a double header with the men’s sides.

Last Time Out For FGR Women

FGR Women kicked their season off with a two and a half hour trip to Cornwall for a tough away fixture with Liskeard. The Blues, newly promoted to this level, were champions in their division last year but further enhanced their reputation with some good results against higher opposition in cup competitions.

FGR Women pose with fans Poppy and Martha at Liskeard.

Liskeard took a two-goal lead, but FGR showed great resolve to earn a 4-4 draw. Goals for Liskeard Athletic came from Eve-Charlotte Moore (3) and Alex Hugh. FGR fans will be happy to see popular striker Charlie Rowlands kick off her campaign with two goals, whilst two of FGRs most exciting young talents, Nynka Rucker and Zoe Boyd, also scored. FGR, fielding eight debutants, were without some regular first teamers, showed great character and ability to get themselves back in the game and earn their first point of the new season.

FGR Manager Neil Moore in charge of his first competitive fixture commented on Twitter:

Whilst long time FGR fan Ryan Griffin who was at his first FGR Women game said:

 

The Opposition

Bristol Rovers won the SWRWFL Northern Division title last season to earn promotion to this level. The Bristol side beat runners up Almondsbury to the title. FGR Women faced Almondsbury at The New Lawn last season in a memorable FA Cup encounter.

The Gas Girls only lost once on their way to lifting the title, with Zoe Fielden-Stewart finishing as the golden boot winner with 19 goals. Elsewhere Annys Turner scored 13 goals from 11 games and Laura Curnock scored 11 from 6. Bristol Rovers will have been pleased all three stayed at the club over the summer, with all of them featuring in their opening fixture.

The Gas started the league season with an entertaining 6-4 win over Royal Wootton Bassett Town with goals from Curnock, two from Fielden Stewart and a hat-trick from Georgia Vandries. You can watch highlights here.

Vandries turned out for FGR last season and is a talented attacker with a very good first touch and technical ability and FGR will have to work hard to restrict her when the two sides meet.

Midfielder Libby Bell leads the team as captain from midfield and will be another player to watch, having been a regular during the Gas Girls promotion season and seeing her team win last time out.

Match Details

The match is at Lockleaze Sports Centre and there are facilities which include a bar and food. Entry to the fixture is free and kick off is at 2pm on 18 September.

Bristol Rovers Women’s play at the Lockleaze Sports Centre, Bonnington Walk, Lockleaze, Bristol, BS7 9XF

You can download Gas Girls online matchday programme here

Elsewhere In The League

Results

Table