Forest Green Rovers

Team:

1 Lee Hook
8 Paul Armstrong (C)
5 Ben Austin
2 Darren Baker
11 Matt Crabb
15 Nathan Crabb
3 Neil Jenkins
13 Jay Lovett
6 Marc Pullan
4 Matt Smart
10 Allan Tait

Substitutes:

31 Darren Budd
7 Pat Harding for M Crabb (83)
25 Viktor Illugason for N Crabb (70)
21 Mo Harkin
22 Chris Winterton

Team:

1 Ryan Robinson
2 Alex Lawless
3 Paul Stonehouse
4 Darren Jones
5 John Hardiker (C)
7 Adriano Rigoglioso
9 Andy Mangan
10 Conal Platt
16 Lee Fowler
17 Kaid Mohamed
22 Chris Thomas

Substitutes:

11 Jonathan Smith for Rigoglioso (59)
12 Les Afful for Platt (59)
15 Mark Preece for Thomas (80)
20 Lee Molyneaux
25 Terry Burton

Booked:
Lawless
Rigoglioso
Hardiker
Thomas

Following a fine 1-0 win at Priory Lane .v. an Altrincham side many expected to be scrapping at the foot of the BSP, Boro welcomed Forest Green Rovers, a side topping the table, to Priory Lane. New signing Viktor Illugason took a place on the bench and both Crabbs, Matt & Nathan, secured starting spots with Jean-Michel Sigere unable to take a place in the squad.

Forest Green demonstrated themselves worthy of their tag as a side who play attractive football, their possession, passing and movement was a joy to watch throughout the 90 minutes, but the part-time determination, will to win, and excellent football of the hosts eventually won out in this fascinating and entertaining game.

Both sides created half-chances in the opening exchanges but neither keeper was unduly threatened, Boro's back-five in usual imperious form. On 33 minutes a low cross into the Boro area required Lee Hook to make a fine close range save before Nathan Crabb's 1st effort on goal drifted just inches wide. The wind on the Boro backs in the opening half led to several over hit passes, but Boro had more than matched Rovers as the half drew to a close.

The visitors created an early chance in the opening moments of the 2nd 45 but again the Boro defence worked hard to deny Rovers a clear opportunity to open the scoring. Matt Crabb delivered a dangerous corner to the far post and Forest Green were forced to clear. 'Crabby' senior again supplied a fine ball into the area, Ben Austin inches away from connecting as the home side began to build a momentum of their own. Nathan harried the ball off the Rovers left back and as he made his way to the bye-line his cut-back found strike partner Allan Tait; his shot scuffed but the momentum was building for Boro. On 62 minutes a Jay Lovett cross was flicked off Tait's head. From the resulting corner Neil Jenkins swung a deep cross to the back post for Nathan Crabb to head back across the keeper into the bottom corner for 1-0.



Nathan almost doubled the lead from the restart but the half-chance evaded the Boro No. 15. On 70 minutes debutante Illugason replaced the Boro goal scorer and his impact was almost immediate, but a stumble prevented him getting his shot away. 'The Sports' were still dominant and MOM Matt Smart was just short of connecting with another excellent Matt Crabb corner. Illugason swung a deep shot from wide right over Ryan Robinson and with the keeper stranded he watched as the ball rebounded off his bar and to safety. The 4th official found 4 minutes added time and the visitors had their 3 best chances in these closing moments. Kaid Mohamed burst into the area and fired wildly over the bar before a long range effort cannoned off the woodwork, down, but out of the goal. The final kick of the game was another desperate long-range effort but 'Hooky' parried and gathered; the whistle a welcome relief to the majority in Priory Lane.

Any neutrals in the ground will have witnessed a fantastically entertaining game; 2 teams playing on the floor whenever possible but asking and receiving no quarter. "That was probably our best home performance" commented Boro manager Garry Wilson after the game. "We are pleased to keep 3 clean sheets as defensive strength is something we have always prided ourselves on" he continued. "Energy levels were good tonight", interjected Nick Greenwood "we matched them stride for stride but will, as the cliche goes, take each game as it comes". If the games continue to be of this quality the people of Eastbourne are in for more entertaining times.

Words - Lee Peskett
Picture - Allan Staples & Terry Buckman
Further Photos by Terry available here.