With the Pirates (From Gazette Series)

With the Pirates

IT'S a first at the Memorial Stadium tomorrow (3pm) as last season's Conference champions comes in search of League points.

Yeovil and Rovers have clashed previously in different guises in the FA Cup and two years ago in an LDV Vans Trophy tie which the Pirates won after a nail-biter penalty shoot-out.

And released Kevin Gall, who never quite made it with Rovers, largely because he was played out on the wing instead of in his favoured position up front, will be aching to prove a point or three.

Gall's goals helped Yeovil to the title and promotion and he has not stopped scoring, though Rovers boss Ray Graydon says he has no regrets about his decision to release the player who failed to deliver the success expected of him then. It's the Bobby Zamora and Ian Holloway story rewritten, well partly so far!

It should be a sell-out crowd and, if not why not, provided ertwshile Latvian national team boss Gary Johnson, still being interviewed about his contribution to the Baltic state's unexpected European Championship finals qualification, can keep his side's feet on the ground in view of their massive home FA Cup third round clash with Liverpool in the new year.

It might be Rovers' chance to assert themselves after ending a winless eight-game sequence two week ago. Injuries over, Graydon will be counting on a full selection option. Fans will say he needs it.

Yet Rovers' record against top sides, and remember Yeovil are a handsome fifth, is good to say the least. It will be a day of hope and expectation - again. And the first League derby of its kind will ensure a special passion for both sets of fans.