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Match Preview; Luton Town vs Forest Green Rovers - EFL2

Forest Green Rovers make their final away trip of the season this afternoon, as they take on promotion winners Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

The Hatters have enjoyed a successful season under Nathan Jones and they secured League 1 football for the first time in ten years, thanks to a draw against Carlisle United last Saturday. Rovers confirmed their league 2 status during their midweek clash with Yeovil Town, meaning both sides could field weakened teams to give their first-choice players a well-deserved break.

A great recruitment campaign both at the start of the season and during the January transfer window means Luton Town have had one of the fittest sides in the division and are only without two players going into todays match. Midfielder Lawson D’Ath pulled his medial ligament against Cambridge United back in March, whilst Luke Berry is still out after his horror injury against Colchester United back in February.

Mark Cooper will be without first choice keeper Bradley Collins, after the Chelsea loanee suffered a concussion against the Glovers on Tuesday. Harry Pickering could make his first appearance of the season after he was recalled from his loan at Shortwood United, but he’ll face stiff competition from fellow shot stopper Cameron Belford for the number 1 spot.

The Hatters have been so impressive this season that five of their players were awarded a spot in the PFA’s League Two Team of the Year. Midfielder Berry, striker Danny Hylton, defenders Dan Potts and Alan Sheenan and goalkeeper Marek Stech all made the cut, having been instrumental in their side’s push for promotion.

If Rovers spoil Luton’s promotion party, they could rise as high as 17th depending on results elsewhere in the League. Luton need to claim all three points in order to keep their title hopes alive, but if Accrington Stanley avoid defeat against Lincoln City then the title will be heading back to Lancashire.        

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Match Report; Yeovil Town 0 - 0 Forest Green Rovers - EFL 2

Forest Green Rovers and Yeovil Town secured their League 2 status for another year this evening, as they played out a drab 0-0 draw at Huish Park.

Manager Mark Cooper made two changes to the side that beat Chesterfield Town last Saturday, with Dayle Grubb and Charlie Cooper replacing Lee Collins and Reece Brown in the starting line-up. Both sides clearly felt the nervous from kick off, with neither Rovers or Yeovil Town able to create many chances despite sharing possession.

Chelsea loanee Bradley Collins had a shaky start to the match, narrowly avoiding losing possession on the edge of his box as Rovers looked to play out from the back. The away side were the first to go close, with defender Hayden Hollis seeing his cross-come-shot palmed away at the last by Glovers keeper Jared Bird. Yeovil Town enjoyed most of the ball in the opening 45 minutes but failed to muster a single shot on goal in the first half.

The best opportunity of the match came just after break, thanks to Ivorian striker Francious Zoko. After some impressive build up play from the Glovers, the ball was whipped in from the left-hand side and left Rovers defenders in their tracks, but Zoko couldn’t make a clean connection with the cross. Instead, he clattered into keeper Collins who remained down, but after six minutes of treatment he rose to his feet, receiving applause from around the ground.

Yeovil were keen to expose the Green Devils shaken shot stopper, but just minutes after receiving treatment, Collins flew acrobatically into the air to tip Zoko’s effort just over the crossbar. The Englishman clearly struggled to stay on his feet as the game continued and with just over half an hour left to play, January signing Cameron Belford made just his second appearance for the club, replacing Collins in goal.

Agonisingly for both sets of fans, the 4th official raised his board to show 10 minutes of added time, meaning neither side could celebrate League 2 survival just yet. With the clock ticking down, both sets of players seemed to resign themselves to a draw and chants of ‘we are staying up’ began to resonate around the ground. As the full time whistle blew, Rovers travelling fans ran to the advertising to celebrate with their players, who having been rock bottom of the table at Christmas time achieved the impossible and ensured League 2 football will return to the New Lawn next season.

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Match Preview; Yeovil Town vs Forest Green Rovers - EFL2

Mark Cooper’s men make the short trip to Huish Park this evening, with both Forest Green Rovers and Yeovil Town looking to secure their League 2 survival at the final whistle.

Rovers make the journey with a fully fit squad, having made it through last weeks must win fixture against Chesterfield with a clean bill of health. Having scored twice in the past two games, veteran defender Scott Laird is likely to continue his place in the starting line-up, whilst goalkeeper Bradley Collins is on course to make his 44th appearance for the club on the hill.  

The Glovers will be without six squad members, with James Bailey, Jake Gray, Ryan Dickson, Dan Alfei and Artur Krysiak all ruled out through injury. Long term absentee Sam Surridge could make a return to first team action, having recovered from a hamstring injury sustained earlier in the season.

After winning their last two matches, Rovers have found themselves rise to 20th in the table, just one point and one place behind Yeovil Town. Both sides just need to avoid defeat tonight to secure League 2 status next season, after Chesterfield Town were relegated earlier this week. The Glovers are now 4 points away from equalling last years points tally, which saw them finish three places above the drop zone.

Francious Zoko leads the line for Yeovil Town, having found the net 12 times so far this term. The Ivorian has also set up 4 goals for the side since the start of the season, with only Otis Khan and Olufela Olomola having more assists to their name. A classic goal poacher, Zoko has scored 10 of his 12 goals from inside the box – 7 of those coming from his wicked right foot.

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Match Report; Forest Green Rovers 4 - 1 Chesterfield Town - EFL2

Goals from Christian Doidge, Dayle Grubb and Scott Laird ensured victory for Forest Green Rovers this weekend, as they recorded their 10th home win of the season against Chesterfield Town.

Fresh from the victory against rivals Cheltenham Town, Forest Green Rovers entered the field of play full of confidence, whilst the Spireites trudged out of the changing rooms already looking like a beaten side. It was the visitors who started brightest however, going close after three minutes thanks to Jak McCourt’s volleyed effort, but the Englishman was unable to make the most of this golden opportunity.

Just before the half hour mark, last weeks derby-day hero Scott Laird broke the deadlock with a wicked left footed shot that swerved away from Spireties keeper Aaron Ramsdale. With their League 2 lives on the line, Chesterfield went on the hunt for an equaliser and just nine minutes later, they found it. After a period of possession, right back Drew Talbot found himself in the opposition box, but before he was able to get his shot away Rover’s striker Reuben Reid brought him down in the box. Kristian Dennis neatly dispatched the resulting spot kit, goading the Green Army as he drew his side level.

As the second half began, the home side began to dominate proceedings, but they were unable to create a clear-cut chance. With a quarter of the game left to play, manager Mark Cooper introduced formed Weston-Super-Mare man Dayle Grubb, who took just thirteen minutes to set up Welshman Christian Doidge for Rovers second goal of the match. With the home fans breaking out into chants of ‘we are staying up’, Chesterfield nearly found an equaliser in the 90th minute, but Jacob Browns finesse shot hit the post and went out of play in a moved that summed up the Derbyshire side’s season.

Grubb was to get his own goal three minutes into added time, as he chased down a loose ball in the Spireites box and passed the ball past the helpless Ramsdale. Rovers were awarded just their second penalty of the season two minutes later, after winger Alex Bray was brought down in the box. Doidge converted the penalty and secured his brace, meaning the Green Devils are just one point away from League 2 safety with three games left to play.

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Match Preview; Forest Green Rovers vs Chesterfield Town - EFL2

Forest Green Rovers take on Chesterfield Town at the New Lawn this afternoon, in a game that could have a huge effect on this seasons relegation battle.

Rovers suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat when the clubs last met in November, with defender Manny Monthe taking an early bath having been dismissed just minutes into the second half.

Mark Cooper’s men have no injury concerns ahead of the clash and after returning to full fitness a few weeks ago, star striker Christian Doidge found his shooting boots again during last weeks ‘El Glosico’. That goal meant that the Welshman has found the net 44 times for ‘the club on the hill’, since joining them from Dagenham and Redbridge back in 2016 and he’s now just 6 goals away from equalling James Norwood’s scoring record of 50 goals for the Green Devils.

After an impressive display against the Robins last Saturday, midfielder Reece Brown could continue his place in the starting line-up. At just 5”7, Brown has a low centre of gravity which allows him to dance past defenders at will, but his quick feet also see him fouled on a regular occasion. The 22-year-old is an expert at set pieces, and if Rovers are awarded a free-kick within shooting distance, you’re likely to hear chants of ‘Reece, Reece, Reece’, echoing from the Green Army.

The Spireites will be without midfielders Giles Coke & Sam Hird, winger Dylan Mottley-Henry and striker Gozie Ugwu who are all in the midst of a long spell out on the side lines.

Chesterfield have taken just 1 point from their last 5 matches but have scored in all but one of them, meaning Rovers can’t afford to be lazy at the back, especially with Kristian Dennis in the starting line-up. The 28-year-old has netted 18 times for the Derbyshire side, setting up 2 more in the process. At 5”9, the Englishman is a threat from corners, but could struggle against the likes of Farrend Rawson and Hayden Hollis.

Defeat against Rovers today could condemn the Spireites to their second relegation in as many seasons if Grimsby Town win away at Swindon Town. A win for Rovers could ensure their stay in League 2 for another season, but they’d need Grimsby to beat Swindon Town & Morecambe to take points from Crewe Alexandra, before the South Stand could start singing ‘We are staying up’.

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Match Report; Cheltenham Town 0 - 1 Forest Green Rovers - EFL2

A sublime first half volley from Christian Doidge was enough to secure a win for Forest Green Rovers this weekend, as they left the LCI Rail Stadium with all three points and the bragging rights over local rivals Cheltenham Town.

Manager Mark Cooper made 3 changes to the side that lost to Barnet last Saturday, with Scott Laird, Chris Clements and Reece Brown all returning to the starting line-up at the expense of Dale Bennet, Dayle Grubb and Dan Wishart. Cheltenham Town welcomed skipper Carl Winchester back to the fold after recovering from injury, but midfielder Kevin Dawson failed a late fitness test.

It was the visitors who started brightest, charging up the pitch towards the 756 travelling Rovers fans from kick off. The Green Devils nearly got off to a dream start, but Lairds pinpoint cross was pulled from Doidge’s toes by Robins keeper Scott Flinders.

15 minutes into the match, Cheltenham began to dominate possession. Their first chance on goal came half way through the first half when midfielder Joe Morrell unleashed a wicked shot from 25 yards out, but defender Farrend Rawson bravely got his body in front of the ball to stop Bradley Collins goal from coming under threat.

With half an hour of derby day football played, Forest Green Rovers were awarded a free kick within shooting distance of the Cheltenham Town goal. January signing Chris Clements stepped up to take the set piece, and just as the Green Army thought his effort was curling into the top corner, Flinders got his fingertips to the ball and pushed it inches past the post.  

Just two minutes before half time the deadlock was broken, thanks to Rovers top scorer Christian Doidge. After some brilliant build up play, Rueben Reid lifted the ball into the path of Doidge, who volleyed past the hapless Robins keeper and sent the travelling fans into a frenzy.

The Robins continued to dominate possession in the second half, and Chelsea loanee Bradley Collins had to be on top form to keep his side a goal to the good. League 2’s player of the month Mohammed Eisa thought he’d scored just before the hour mark, but Collins judged the bounce just right and pushed his effort out for a corner. Four minutes later Hollis had the chance to double the lead, but he managed to blaze his shot over the bar from just 6 yards out but luckily for the Englishman he’d already been flagged for offside.

As the minutes ticked down, The Robins continued to pepper Rovers box with crosses, but they were denied each time by Hollis, Gunning, Rawson and Collins. Much to the dismay of the travelling fans, the fourth official announced six minutes of added time but Cheltenham Town weren’t able to take their chance and as the final whistle blew, Rovers players fell to the floor with exhaustion.

The win means the Green Devils are still six points clear of the drop zone, but they have a game in hand on relegation rivals Barnet. Rovers next match is at home to Chesterfield Town, with the Spireites desperately in need of all three points as they battle against the drop themselves.

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Match Report; Barnet FC 1 - 0 Forest Green Rovers - EFL2

Alex Nicholls goal just shy of the half time whistle was enough to secure all 3 points for Barnet yesterday afternoon, as Forest Green Rovers slumped to their 13th away defeat of the season.

Mark Cooper made two changes to the side that lost against Colchester United, with striker Christian Doidge and defender Farrend Rawson returning to the starting line up in the place of Tahvon Campbell and Dan Wishart. Winger Alex Bray also continued his run in the side, making his third consecutive start for the Green Devils.

The opening ten minutes were a tense affair, with most of the battles taking place in midfield. Dayle Grubb had the first chance for the visiting side, but his effort was headed behind for a corner by defender Michael Nelson. At the other end of the pitch, Ryan Watson saw his long-range effort comfortably saved by Chelsea loanee Bradley Collins.

Although Barnet have the second best disciplinary record in League 2, the opening 45 minutes saw plenty of fouls committed by both sides and as a result, chances on goal were few and far between. Barnet’s best chances fell to Shaq Coulthirst and David Tutonda, but neither men were able to find the back of the net. Rovers best attacking outlet was midfielder Dayle Grubb, but the Englishman couldn’t beat goalkeeper Craig Ross.

With 3 minutes of time added on it looked certain that the teams would go into the break level, but attacking midfielder Alex Nicholls had other ideas. After some good build up play by the Bees, Coulthirst found Nicholls on the edge of the box and his low strike found its way into the bottom of the net. This was his 5th goal in his last 11 league appearances for the north London side, making him the Bees 3rd top scorer this season.

As Rovers searched for an equaliser in the second half, tempers began to fray and Alex Nicholls, John Akinde, Isiah Osbourne and Dayle Bennet all found themselves in the book with 65 minutes played. Forest Green Rovers continued to pepper Barnet’s box with crosses, but neither Grubb, Reid or Osbourne could find the finishing touch. Bees defenders Sweeney and Nelson did well to contain Doidge, who failed to register a shot on target during the match.

Victory for Barnet saw Chesterfield replace them at the bottom of the table, whilst Forest Green Rovers were overtaken by Grimsby Town. With just 5 games remaining, any side within the bottom 8 could be relegated, depending on results around the league. Next Saturday, Rovers travel to bitter rivals Cheltenham Town and will be hoping to leave Whaddon Road with more than just the bragging rights.

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Match Preview; Barnet F.C vs Forest Green Rovers - EFL2

Forest Green Rovers fight for league 2 survival see’s them travel to The Hive Stadium this afternoon, as they take on bottom of the table Barnet F.C.

Last Monday saw both sides drop points, as Rovers fell to defeat against Colchester United and Barnet chalked up their 24th loss of the season against Stevenage Town. With just 6 games left to play, the Bees face an uphill battle to avoid relegation, whilst Rovers fate is seemingly in their own hands.

Manager Mark Cooper has confirmed that Christian Doidge will return to the starting line-up, reigniting his attacking partnership with fellow striker Reuben Reid. Welshman Doidge bagged himself a brace against Barnet when the two sides met back in August, but goals from Akpa Akpro and Jamal Campbell-Ryce denied Rovers their first victory in Football League.

Winger Alex Bray is likely to make his 3rd consecutive start for the away side, after impressing with his performances against Mansfield Town and Colchester United. The 22-year-old joined Rovers on loan in January and his pace and passing ability have made him a nightmare for opponents. With the likes of Dayle Grubb, Dan Wishart and Dale Bennet also due to feature, fans can expect to see Rovers play a quick, counter attacking game.

Barnet have a familiar face in their match day squad, with ex Rovers defender Charlie Clough now plying his trade for the north London side. The Englishman left the New Lawn in January last year, having made 78 appearances and bagging 7 goals for the Nailsworth side. Known for his strength in the air and trademark last ditch tackles, Rovers will have to be at their best to get past this goliath.

The Bees have struggled for goals so far this term, with their top scorer Shaquile Coulthirst finding the net just 10 times this season. Barnet’s official stats state the Englishman has a conversion rate of only 17%, so if Rovers can prevent him from breaking the back line, it’s likely the keeper Bradley Collins will have a quiet afternoon.

If Mark Coopers side can secure victory this afternoon, they could push themselves up to 19th and 9 points clear of the drop zone. A win for Barnet could lift them off the bottom the table to overtake fellow League 2 strugglers Chesterfield Town, but the Spireites do have 3 games in hand. If Barnet fail to take all 3 points this afternoon, their return back to the Vanarama National League is all but sealed.