Forest Green Rovers advanced to the fifth round of the FA Trophy after goals from Isaac Moore and Abraham Kanu secured a 2-0 win away at Ebbsfleet United.
In a first half that both sides had chances in, Robbie Savage’s side took the lead through Moore as he followed up a blocked first attempt to strike through multiple bodies and beat Johnathan Macaulay.
Ebbsfleet had the majority of the opportunities in the second half, with Josh Passley, Maxx Manktelow and Kwesi Appiah all going close.
However, as the clock moved towards ninety, Rovers finished the job as Laurent Mendy’s cross found Kanu in the box to head home from six yards out and finish the tie.
First Half
Forest Green had the first opportunity of the match when Harvey Bunker’s clipped ball found Max Robson but Robson was unable to get enough power on his header to direct it past Macaulay.
Despite Rovers having the majority of possession, Ebbsfleet did go close when Dominic Samuel’s header went just over the bar from Ronny Nelson’s cross.
They were in again moments later as Josh Coley’s ball beat Mendy and released Samuel but one-on-one with Harry Isted, he couldn’t convert.
Samuel continued to be involved in the game with his shot from inside the box on the half-hour mark, thankfully taking a deflection past the post.
Not long after, Ebbsfleet had another opportunity where Samuel set up Coley, luckily for Rovers, it didn’t get the finish it deserved.
It didn’t take long for the home side to be on the break again. This time Coley cut onto his right and forced a sharp save from Isted.
Against the run of play however, Rovers did take the lead.
Robson cut the ball back to Moore, whose initial effort was blocked but he followed up to slot in the rebound.
A great opportunity presented itself to double the lead not long after.
Neil Kengni crossed the ball into a wide-open Jayden Clarke, however, his shot was saved well by Macaulay.
Half-Time: Ebbsfleet United 0-1 Forest Green Rovers
Early in the second half, the home side could’ve been level as Passley’s header was excellently parried onto the bar by Isted.
FGR were desperate for a second to kill the tie and nearly had it when Nick Haughton’s cross was headed goalwards by Kairo Mitchell, but the goalkeeper was equal to it.
Rovers then went close again when Mitchell hit the post from Tre Pemberton’s headed lay-off.
On the hour mark, Jayden Clarke delivered a brilliant free-kick, which was met by Bunker, who steered his effort just past the post.
Straight off the bench, Manktelow nearly levelled the fixture for Ebbsfleet after he latched on to a poor clearance. Thankfully, he shot wide and then moments later another substitute, Appiah, had a chance which Isted tipped over.
Ebbsfleet would not give up and kept applying pressure. Isted made a hatful of great saves, including a worldie from Nelson late on.
In the closing stages, Rovers secured the victory as Mendy picked the ball up on the right. His inch-perfect cross was headed home by Kanu from close range and sealed the tie.
Full-Time: Ebbsfleet United 0-2 Forest Green Rovers
Ebbsfleet United: Macaulay, Coker, Hessenthaler, Ehmer (Manktelow 68), Passley, Edser (Kennedy 60), Nelson, Samuel (Cosgrave 68), Barnes (Appiah 60), Coley, Olagunju. Subs not used: Hall, Peake, Chapman.
Forest Green Rovers: Isted, Kengni, Mendy, Haughton, Clarke (McAllister 61), Bunker, Moore (Kanu 61), Pemberton (Buyabu 730, Robson (Knowles 61), Nwoko, Mitchell (Babalola 73). Subs not used: Pagel, Doidge.
