x

Sunday Date For Bristol Rovers Cup Clash - Ipswich Town News

Town’s Emirates FA Cup third round tie against League One Bristol Rovers at Portman Road will be played on Sunday 12th January with a 3pm kick-off as it is being shown live overseas.

Blues boss Kieran McKenna was asked for his thoughts on the cup draw at today’s press conference but says he hasn’t given it too much thought at this early stage.

"That’s an early question,” McKenna smiled. "We’re not thinking past the next game. I saw the draw, was glad to get a home game.

"We’ll start to think about Bristol Rovers once we start to get through Fulham and the busy Christmas period.”

The Blues and Rovers famously met in the competition in the fifth round in 1978 with Town on their way to winning the trophy for the only time.

Following a 2-2 draw in the snow at Eastville, the Blues won 3-0 at Portman Road in the replay.

Since then, the clubs have been drawn against one another three further times in the FA Cup. In the fifth round in 1979, the Blues won 6-1 at Portman Road, six years later Town were victorious 2-1 in the third round at Eastville.

The teams met at Rovers' current home the Memorial Stadium in 1998, again in the third round, and drew 1-1, again in snow, with the Blues winning the replay 1-0 at Portman Road.

More recently, as well as League One clashes, the teams met in the Carabao Cup in August last year, the Blues running out 2-0 winners with Jack Taylor, on his debut, and Sone Aluko, his final goal in professional football, on target.

The Rovers squad includes former Blues Grant Ward and James Wilson, and one-time loanee Luke Thomas.

What to read next:

New Call Me Ted Poster For Norwich Derby
Town poster gurus Call Me Ted have produced a new design ahead of the East Anglian derby against Norwich City at Portman Road on Sunday 5th October.
U17s Beaten By Hammers
Town’s youngsters were beaten 4-0 by West Ham United in their opening U17 Premier League Cup game at Playford Road this afternoon.
[Podcast] The Naked Football Show - Listen Again
This week's Naked Football Show is now available online.
Akpom: Ajax and Lille Spells Made Me a Better Player
Town forward Chuba Akpom believes he has returned to England a better player following two years at Ajax and Lille.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Four in Championship Team of the Week
Four Town players have been named in the Championship Team of the Week following the 5-0 thumping of Sheffield United on Friday.
Ipswich Town Women 0-1 Nottingham Forest Women - Match Report
Ipswich Town Women remain without a win so far this season after losing 1-0 to fellow newly promoted side Nottingham Forest in their first outing at their new home, Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Blades Sack Selles Following Town Thrashing
Sheffield United have sacked manager Ruben Selles following Friday’s 5-0 thrashing by the Blues at Portman Road.
On-Loan Slicker Saves Two Penalties
Town keeper Cieran Slicker saved two penalties to help his loan side Barnet to a 2-1 victory away against Crewe Alexandra in League Two this afternoon.