The Acorns mark their return to the 4ED Hartpury Stadium with the chance to make it three straight wins, against a visiting Shaftesbury AFC on Saturday.
Following an unbeaten start to the season at the KMM Energy Stadium, the Acorns will be hoping to carry that form back to our natural home and build on Saturday’s triumphant 4-1 win over Swindon Supermarine.
Ahead of the Rockies trip to the 4ED, here is everything you need to know about our opposition.
THE OPPOSITION – SHAFTESBURY AFC
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STADIUM – Cockrams
NICKNAME – The Rockies
FOUNDED – 1888
MANAGER – Jim Milligan
LEAGUE POSITION – 13th
FORM GUIDE – L-W-W-L-L
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ROCKIE START
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It has been a turbulent season thus far for last season play-off final runners-up, as the Rockies see themselves mid table following managerial changes and inconsistent results.
The Rockies head to Gloucestershire off the back of successive defeats against Weymouth and Westbury United.
These defeats came following back-to-back victories which included a nine-goal thriller against Slimbridge AFC at Cockrams, seeing the Rockies come away 5-4 winners.
However, it is just two wins in their last seven games for Jim Milligan’s side and just five wins in 15 games this season, in all competitions.
The Rockies are heading into their tenth away game of the season on Saturday but have previously won just twice on the road this campaign at Bristol Manor Farm and Larkhall Athletic.
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RECENT MEETINGS
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The Acorns have met with the Rockies just twice before, both coming last campaigns, and remain unbeaten against the north Dorset outfit.
It was a six-goal thriller last time out when the Rockies visited the 4ED, with Nathan Jenkins, Noah Coates, and Louis Manning on form in a 3-3 draw.
Down at Cockrams, the Acorns put in a fantastic defensive display to earn a deserved 2-0 victory on the road thanks to goals from Coates and Manning.
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IN THE DUGOUT – JIM MILLIGAN
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After departing the club following their narrow promotion miss, Milligan departed Cockrams making way for Josh Staunton.
Staunton led the team into the start of the season but only managed one win in his opening four games.
There was not time to turn it around, as the Rockies parted ways with Staunton at the end of the opening month of the season (August) allowing Milligan to retake the helm.
Since the rotation, the Rockies have won just four games since August leaving Milligan with work to be done.
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PLAYER TO WATCH – BRETT PITMAN
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In a side that has netted 26 goals this campaign, Brett Pitman has been the focal point firing home six times this season in just nine appearances.
Pitman brings a wealth of experience to the Rockies having come through the ranks at AFC Bournemouth, before heading out to the likes of Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Swindon Town, Portsmouth, and Ipswich Town.
The striker made 540 appearances combined for these clubs whilst also scoring 191 goals in that time.
Pitman returns to Shaftesbury following two previous stints with the club between 2023 and 2025 with the striker scoring 61 goals in 54 appearances.
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RECENT FORM
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27.10.26 – Shaftesbury AFC 1-3 Weymouth FC (Southern League Div One South)
24.10.26 – Shaftesbury AFC 1-4 Westbury United (Southern League Div One South)
17.10.26 – Bristol Manor Farm 0-2 Shaftesbury AFC (Southern League Div One South)
13.10.26 – Shaftesbury AFC 5-4 Slimbridge AFC (Southern League Div One South)
10.10.26 – Shaftesbury AFC 1-4 Tiverton Town (Southern League Div One South)
