Forest Green Rovers progressed to the round of 32 in the Papa John’s Trophy, claiming a 4-1 victory at the Bolt New Lawn against Exeter City. 

Jamille Matt would open the scoring, with Myles Peart-Harris, an own goal and Corey O’Keeffe rounding up the goals – while Matt Jay would net for the visitors. 

Tonight’s win means that Rovers’ top group N with a 100% record, having beaten Newport County and Southampton U21s in previous matches. 

Ian Burchnall elected to make eight changes to the side who drew against Port Vale on the weekend, bringing Sean O’Brien in for his first start in a Rovers’ shirt. 

O’Brien wasted no time to stamp his mark on the game, threading Rovers’ captain Jamille Matt in behind the visiting backline, although Matt’s right-footed strike could only find the side netting with just three minutes played. 

While his first efforts to break the deadlock failed to come to fruition, it took just twelve minutes for Matt to open the scoring on his return to the starting eleven. 

The forward found himself in the right place yet again, firing past Harry Lee into the bottom corner with a trademark right-footed effort from close range. 

Rovers continued to enjoy most of the possession early on, with Burchnall’s side continuing to have the better of the chances in Nailsworth. 

Myles Peart-Harris almost grabbed a second goal for the hosts as the Brentford loanee wrapped his right-foot around the ball from distance; his effort was slightly miscalculated and drifted wide of Lee’s goal. 

 Sean Robertson would be the next to go close for Rovers, as the full-back made a marauding run down the right-hand side – unleashing a thunderous effort which ended up just inches wide of the top-left corner in the 23rd minute.

Despite their sustained dominance, Burchnall’s side couldn’t capitalise on their efforts. 

Dom Bernard would come closest to netting a second, with Exeter ‘keeper Lee pushing Peart-Harris’ strike into the path of the defender – who failed to get the required connection from close-range and fired wide with 34 minutes played. 

The Grecians would eventually find their way into the game, with Southampton loanee Kegs Chauke enjoying some success down the left. 

Rovers would eventually be made to rue their missed chances by Exeter, who managed to find an equaliser despite being put under large spells of pressure in the first half. 

It would be City’s Matt Jay who poked home past Lewis Thomas in the 41st minute against the run of play, meaning the sides headed into the break level. 

Despite the late disappointment in the first-half, Rovers would come out with the perfect reaction in the second half – just four minutes after the restart. 

Peart-Harris would be brought down in the box by Rekeem Harper, leaving referee Sam Allison with no choice but to point straight to the spot. 

Having just won the spot-kick, the 20-year-old made no mistake in calmly dispatching the penalty on his right foot to restore the hosts’ lead, scoring his second goal in as many games for Rovers. 

It would go from good to great for Burchnall’s side, as they soon doubled their advantage against the Grecians with 55 minutes played. 

Regan Hendry found himself on the end of O’Brien’s pass, as the Scottish midfielder then drilled an inviting delivery across goal, which fired off Exeter defender Gabriel Billington from close-range and left Kev Nicholson’s side with a mountain to climb. 

At this point, Rovers were clearly in the ascendancy and continued their upwards trend, scoring their fourth goal of the evening in spectacular fashion from full-back Corey O’Keeffe. 

The 24-year-old would pick up the ball in the box before unleashing a beautiful curling effort into the top corner in the 64th minute, registering his first goal for Forest Green Rovers since joining the club in the summer. 

Burchnall’s side would continue to impress throughout, with academy graduates Finley Bell and Murphy Bennett both coming off the bench as they looked to see out the final stages of the game. 

Rovers would manage the game professionally in the closing period, maintaining their three-goal advantage, eventually claiming a well-earned three points at the Bolt New Lawn to progress into the next round of the competition.