RICHARD Hill says Eastleigh must respect league leaders Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium tomorrow but not be intimidated by their name.

Both clubs are newcomers to the Vanarama Conference, but whereas Rovers have a rich Football League history behind them, sixth-placed Eastleigh have arrived in non-League’s top tier from the opposite direction, climbing from the Sydenhams Wessex League in 12 remarkable years, writes WENDY GEE.

“Bristol Rovers is an unbelievable football club with an unbelievable history and they’ve been there and done far more than we could ever envisage,” said Hill. “We have to be respectful of that, but we have to make sure we don’t let it intimidate us and we go there and play our game.

“It’ll be tough – but no tougher than Southport, Alfreton or Chester away.”

Last Saturday’s televised 4-0 home win over title hopefuls Macclesfield showed the viewing public exactly what the Spitfires are capable of.

And knowing Rovers’ ex-Salisbury City manager Darrell Clarke as he does, Hill is absolutely certain that the Pirates will not underestimate Eastleigh.

“Rovers are in the position they were expected to be in at the start of the season, whereas we’re in a position that perhaps we weren’t expected to be in,” he said.

“But, knowing Darrell, I’m sure he’ll be telling his players about us and I’m also sure that whether it’s for half an hour, an hour or the whole 90 minutes tomorrow, Rovers are also going to find it a very tough game.”

Hill is not a man who suffers fools gladly, so when he speaks so highly of an opposition boss, you take notice.

“Darrell was getting a bit of stick from fans earlier in his Rovers tenure, but I know him well and I can vouch for the fact that he’s a young, up-and-coming, hard-working manager who’s very knowledgeable about the game.” he said.

“It took Luton nigh on five seasons to get it right and Cambridge nine seasons, but Rovers couldn’t have asked for anyone better than Darrell at the first time of asking. Clarkey’s in the right place at the right time for Bristol Rovers and Bristol Rovers are in the right place at the right time for him.

“It’s up to Rovers fans if they want to listen to me, but I can say that Darrell will not fail for want of trying.

“He leaves no stone unturned and works hard getting out to watch the opposition. Martin Allen at Barnet’s the same – he’s everywhere.”

Although Eastleigh’s injured defensive trio Paul Reid, Will Evans and Jamie Turley all trained this week, Hill, right, will not pass up the rare opportunity to field a settled back four for the fourth game running.

Consecutive clean sheets against Chester and Macclesfield tell their own story and Hill can only hope that, at the other end of the pitch, Eastleigh can recreate last Saturday’s threat when goals by Harry Pell, James Constable, Jai Reason and Deon Burton lit up the small screen.