16 Sep 2012 - Forest Green Rovers (H)

The unknown Forest Green team turned up at Rylands Way looking neat and tidy in their warm up and we should have taken heed of this as we started slowly and looked a bit out of sorts.

An early shot at goal was too powerful for Josh to hold and he spilt it to the Forest Green attacker who tapped it home. More sleepy defending happened and we were being run a bit ragged for 5 minutes.

We got back into the game and pushed forward winning a corner which was cleared and they broke swiftly down field with a mazey run the forward beat our back line, rounded Josh but went wide. He had the presence to look up and passed to a team mate who made no mistake and we were 2-0 down.

We were under more pressure and conceded I think 4 corners in a row but were starting to work harder and mark our men better.

From a break Adam crossed the ball at pace at Nat swung a leg at it but it just went wide. Nat then stole the ball like he often does but his shot from distance just went wide.

We pulled a goal back when from the back, Josh rolled to ball to Jamie who made an excellent pass down the line to Nat whose pace and strength inevitably gave himself a chance on goal and he took it. We rallied again but almost conceded a third when JT under pressure lost the ball but the Forest Green striker shot wide.

Pushing on we earned a corner. Jack Holder whipped the ball in and Nat got a touch to it. The ball was heading into the corner but the defender bundled it off the line straight to Marshall who made no mistake and we were back level at 2-2.

Half time and third game in a row at 2-2!!!

The second half started well and we pushed forward looking to get ahead for the first time. Adam fired wide from outside the area and Jack H and Marshall made a couple of string runs out wide but strong defending meant no chances. Forest Green then had a couple of half chances, one from a corner that came across the box that everybody left and the other from a lovely cross which nobody attacked when any touch would have ended in a goal.

Jamie pushed into midfield and showed some great touches and composure keeping possession which frustrated the Forest Green side. Nat came into the game and made another break when he nicked the ball but a good tackle deflected off him and looped just over the cross bar. Nat again showed his strength to hold off two defenders and bearing down on goal could of squared the ball to Marshall for a tap in but he shot instead and the keeper saved.

JT and Oliver were now keeping them at bay at the back with their usual quality tackling and Olivers great heading. Olivers neat pass to Jack Holder in space meant the defender could do nothing but foul him and from the free kick, Adam picked out Nat who volleyed the ball home and we had the lead at 3-2.

Shortly after we won a corner that Marshall delivered with good height and pace and the keeper unfortunately could only deflect the ball into his own goal and we at last had some breathing space at 4-2

The last action was in our box when Josh came out quick to block at the attackers feet to thwart the attack.

All in all a good all round performance by all but took 5-10 minutes to get going today!

One last comment and I personally just wanted to say well done to the boys who are sitting top of the league today - I know its only 3 games into the season but for the effort and work rate the have put into the 3 games they should be very pleased with themselves, lets hope we can keep it going!

Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:39