The Game
Bristol Rovers v Argyle. Memorial Stadium. Tuesday, 11 November. 7pm. Vertu Trophy.
The Competition
Argyle are top of the group having won both games in the competition so far, beating Cheltenham Town 2-0 and Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s 6-2. Both Argyle and Rovers, who lie in second place with five points, have already qualified for the next round. The game will determine which side wins Group B.
In the second stage of the competition, group winners will be drawn at home to runners-up from another group. The draw will still be regionalised.
The Opposition
Bristol Rovers are 17th in Sky Bet League Two, with 17 points from 15 games. Their league form has been a tale of extremes. The Gas began with three consecutive defeats, then went seven unbeaten, winning five and drawing two. Since a win over Salford City on 27 September, they have lost five league games in a row.
The Gaffer
Darrell Clarke is in his second spell as Bristol Rovers boss. In his first, he moved from assistant manager to the top job, but was unable to stop Rovers falling out of the EFL. However, he wrote himself into the club’s folklore by not only achieving promotion back to the 92, but taking the Gas straight up again for a second season in a row.
Clarke left in December 2018, having served four-and-a-half years in the role, and has subsequently been in charge of Walsall, Port Vale, Cheltenham Town and Barnsley. He returned to Rovers in the summer of 2025.
Previous Meetings
Argyle played Rovers twice in the Trophy in 2022/23. In the group stage, a 1-1 draw at Home Park necessitated a penalty shoot-out, which Argyle won. Later in the competition, in the quarter-final, Argyle won 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will be wearing their black away kit for the game.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with the Pre-Match Show at 6.30pm, with Charlie Price and Brian McGlinchey. Then, there will be commentary from the Memorial Stadium from Rob McNichol and former Argyle midfielder Chris Hargreaves.
Match passes to watch this game are available overseas. CLICK HERE for more information.
