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Rovers have yet to beat the Romans in six West Midlands League clashes – and after two defeats in their three opening games of the new term a win tomorrow could not come at a better time.

Gresley coach Steve Dolby said last night: “It’s been a disappointing start for both clubs – and regardless of the fact that we are playing Rocester we need to get back on track.”

Dolby reckons a clear the air meeting in midweek will have put Gresley players in the right frame of mind after they were lambasted by manager Frank Northwood following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Westfields.

“The players got together after training on Tuesday and we sat down together and thrashed things out. A lot of things were said, people put their cards on the table and hopefully everyone will be in the right frame of mind for Saturday.”

And the fact that Rovers face such a tough assignment is good news, says the Rovers coach.

“The players know it’s going to be tough and that they’ve got to play to their maximum ability. For my point of view I’m glad we’re playing Rocester because it makes motivation much less of a problem.

“We’ve never beaten Rocester in the league and that’s a record everyone wants to put straight.”

Rocester boss Alan Beaman, on the other hand, is justifiably proud at never fielding a losing side against Gresley.

Indeed, on the one occasion that Gresley did manage to beat Rocester – in a league cup replay last season – Beaman was on holiday!

The Romans boss says: “The games have always been tight with no more than a goal in it, but I think they’ve always been good contests in a footballing sense.

“I know Frank thinks we are more physical than Gresley, but I don’t accept that at all. It will be another close game, I’m sure, but we can get something out of it if we start to take a bigger percentage of the chances we are making.”