Forest Green Rovers ran out 6-3 winners against Crawley Town at the Fully Charged New Lawn on Saturday afternoon. 

A Nicky Cadden hattrick assisted by goals from Matty Stevens, Jamille Matt and Jake Young helped secure the win.

It was just the one change for Rob Edwards’ side from the midweek win at Rochdale, with Baily Cargill coming in for Udoka Godwin-Malife. The defender suffered a nasty collarbone injury that’s set to see him miss out for the foreseeable future.

Rovers got proceedings underway, and they flew out of the blocks taking lead in the opening minute. Some brilliant hold up play from Matty Stevens allowed Jamille Matt to find the advancing Nicky Cadden on the far side.

The Scot made his way toward the Crawley box and set his sights on goal. His effort took a big deflection on its way toward the far corner beating the scrambling Glenn Morris to put Rovers one to the good. A first goal of the season for Cadden.

Then it was the away sides turn to respond. First striker Ashley Nadesan raced through only to be denied by Luke McGee in the FGR goal. Next it was Southampton loanee Will Ferry who let fly but his effort strayed wide of the far post.

They came close again not long after as Tyler Frost volleyed toward goal. His effort however could only find the back of the south stand. But on 13 minutes all that pressure from the away side did indeed pay off. 

Some neat work in the box allowed space for Jake Hessenthaler to fire the away side back on level terms. It was a well contested opening 15 minutes that saw the tie at one a piece.

Stevens had two great chances before he finally got his goal to put Rovers back in the lead. He raced in behind and latched on to a long ball and lobbed the helpless Crawley keeper beautifully to get his goal. That’s now five in four for the Rovers sharpshooter.

But just as FGR looked to be taking control, the away side once again made it all square. Frost made his way down the near side before crossing to find the oncoming Hessenthaler. McGee got a strong touch on the midfielders shot but the ball rolled agonisingly over the line.

Minutes before half time and Rovers nearly went back in front once more. The bar came to the rescue for the away side as Cargill’s header was just too high to ensure it was all square at the break.

Rovers started the second half like they started the first and just minutes after the interval they were ahead once again. Kane Wilson did brilliantly to shrug off his man before playing a delightful dinked ball into the box.

There waiting in the wings was Matt who powered his header into the Crawley net. It was a third goal in three league games for target man, who rounded off a great individual week after signing a new two year contract in the week. 

Just on the hour mark and a long range strike from Cadden forced the veteran keeper Morris to a good a save down to his left. But moments later, Cadden then found his second and Rovers fourth of the match. 

A ball from the near side from Matt found its way past everyone to the far post to the midfielder before he composed himself and lashed his shot into the back of the net. But he wasn’t finished there.

Seconds later he had his hattrick. Some brilliant football from FGR allowed space for Matt in the box. His original shot was saved well by Morris only for the ball to come back to him. His shot was headed toward goal but it was Cadden who blasted it in on the line for the match ball.

The three goal cushion allowed Edwards to give minutes to the likes of Sadou Diallo, Jack Aitchison and Jake Young from the bench and with 10 minutes to go, Young made it six. 

With the away side committing men forward Rovers found themselves five on two heading toward goal. The ball reached Young who cut in on his left before unleashing a strike that beat the depleted Morris. 

John Yems’ side did get a consolation goal with five to play through Kwesi Appiah, but it was a storming second half and another brilliant win for Rovers who sit top of the League, winning all four of their opening league games.

Next for Edwards and his men is a historic journey to Premier League Brentford in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, before a return to league action against Port Vale at the Fully Charged New Lawn next Saturday.