REPORT: Forest Green Rovers 2-0 Wealdstone

Wealdstone were defeated 2-0 by an improved Forest Green Rovers on Saturday at The Bolt New Lawn Stadium as they failed to pick up any points for the second time in two games.

The Stones had never lost to their hosts before in a competitive match and returned to the scene of this season’s heroic FA Trophy 5^th round win hoping to extend that run but struggled to hit the heights of that earlier performance, at the end of a week which had seen them travel nearly 700 miles.  

Gary Waddock made five changes to the side that made the long trip to Gateshead on Tuesday night as Fela Olomola, Jack Hinchy, Charlie Waller and Michael Adu-Poku came into the side and Jack Cook returned from injury to make his 200^th appearance for the club.

Forest Green Rovers created the first chance of the match as the ball was cut back to Chibby Nwoko in the fourth minute, but his shot was well closed by Deon Woodman.

Dante Baptise then produced a good save to keep the scores level by denying Gabe Kircough after he was picked out at the back post by Kyle McAlllister.

The Stones created their first real chance in the 17^th minute when Tyrell Agyemang’s scuffed shot fell into the path of Olufela Olomola who rushed his effort and dragged it wide.

Rovers would be the next to rue a missed opportunity after Dante Baptiste struggled to claim a low cross from Laurent Mendy, only managing to parry the ball to Jayden Clarke who couldn’t direct his shot goalwards.

They would not regret that miss for long however as they opened the scoring in the 41^st minute on the counterattack from a Wealdstone corner.

Forest Green Rovers opted to leave three players up while defending the set-piece who the goalkeeper looked to release immediately after claiming the cross.

Jack Hinchy and Charlie Waller both failed to intercept the long ball, allowing Kengi to run through on goal and slot past Dante Baptiste. A frustrating end to the first half in which there had been little to split the sides.

The Stones found themselves two goals behind in the 60^th minute after Forest Green Rovers capitalised again, this time from their own set-piece. 

A free kick was launched into the Wealdstone penalty area, towards the back post where Laurent Mendy nodded the ball back across the face of goal for Kircough to head into the back of the net.

D’Mani Mellor nearly scored a third goal when substitute Ashqar Ahmed’s cross found him but his shot was well stopped by Baptiste.

Wealdstone struggled to create clear cut opportunities for much of the second half and began to resort to long range strikes to try and get back into the game. 

Nathan Tshikuna with the most well struck of these attempts drew a good save from Harry Isted in the latter stages of the second half. 

Forest Green Rovers missed another chance to score a third in injury time when Jilli Buyabu was unable to find the target after being well picked out by Josh Osude.

Overall, a difficult afternoon for The Stones who will now turn their attention to hosting Yeovil at The Vale on Wednesday night before Saturday’s Isuzu FA Trophy Semi-Final.

FULL-TIME: Forest Green Rovers 2-0 Wealdstone

Forest Green Rovers: Isted, Mendy, Kircough, Kanu, Knowles (Ahmed 68th), Nwoko (Bunker 81st), Campbell, Clarke (Osude 68th), Kengni (Buyabu 68th), McAllister ©, Mellor (Marquez 88th)

FGR Subs (Un-Used): Pagel & Haughton

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Cook © (Barrett 60th), Woodman, Waller (Hutchinson 60th), Ageymang, Hinchy (Wells-Morrison 60th), Tshikuna, Adu-Poku, Boldewijn, Obiero (Adarkwa 60th), Olomola

Wealdstone Subs (Un-Used): Johnson, McAvoy& Spencer

Attendance: 1738 (71 Away)