Atherstone twice in four days

BROMSGROVE Rovers return to Dr Martens Western action this Saturday looking to get back to winning ways with the visit of fellow title challengers Atherstone United.

Rovers' sixth consecutive home game is their first league fixture for more than two weeks and is the first of two games with seventh place Atherstone in four days.

Gary Hackett and Jon Ford's side make the journey to North Warwickshire next Tuesday after the two sides agreed on the date to play their Birmingham Senior Cup first round tie.

Hackett said: It's not ideal playing them twice in four days.

"They have had a good start but if we play like we can play at home I am confident we can get the result.

"We'll get Saturday's game out of the way first before we look at Tuesday."

Despite two cup exits in a week, Rovers still boast an unbeaten record at top of the Dr Martens pile, with games in hand, and the Banbury defeat was the first game in all competitions in which they had failed to hit the target.

A bad day at the office

Joint manager Hackett was obviously disappointed with the loss but sees it as a wake up call for the side.

He said: "For the first time this season we didn't perform. We had too many players in my eyes who had a bad day at the office.

"But I am not going to criticise the players because they have had one bad game in 14. Hopefully it will bring them down to earth."

Rovers then will be aiming to pick up where they left off a fortnight ago when they beat Stourport Swifts 3-0.

Cup defeats are disappointing, especially given the finanial rewards at stake, but Hackett knows the league is ultimately where a side earns its corn.

"The league is your bread and butter and that's where you will be judged," he added.

"We are top of the league and our aim is to stay there.

"The response of the players this season has been magnificent, playing with pride and passion, and we must remember the hard work that got us where we are."

Rovers go into Saturday's game still without Jon Ford.

The centre back has not fully recovered from an ankle injury picked up against Clevedon Town last month.