Match Report | Forest Green 2-1 Aldershot

Forest Green Rovers made it back-to-back victories in the National League with a 2-1 victory over Aldershot Town at The New Lawn.

First-half goals from Tate Campbell and Tom Knowles put Rovers into a deserved 2-0 lead at the break.

Charlie Warren then fired home for the visitors just after the hour mark to set up a tense final 30 minutes of the match. 

However, Rovers remained resolute defensively to see out the game well and secure an important three points.

First Half:

Rovers started the game on the front foot with new signing D’Vani Mellor driving into the box and he saw his shot go behind for an early corner.

Just before the quarter-hour mark, Rovers broke the deadlock when Ashqar Ahmed’s goal-bound strike was blocked and fell to the arriving Tate Campbell, whose deflected effort looped in.

The home side’s pressure continued when Chibby Nwoko’s inch-perfect pass found the lively Ahmed, who cut back for Jili Buyabu but his effort sailed over the bar.

Rovers then doubled their lead on the 28th minute, when the involved Nwoko cut the ball back for Tom Knowles to fire past Connah Boyce-Clarke in the Aldershot net.

The away side created their first opening just after the half-hour mark, when midfielder James Henry forced Harry Isted into a routine save.

Kyle McAllister then tried his luck from range just before the break, forcing Boyce-Clarke to push the ball behind for another Rovers corner.

HALF TIME: ROVERS 2-0 ALDERSHOT

The Shots almost found a way back into the game just after the break as substitute Brodie Peart rounded Isted, but his effort struck the outside of the post. 

Rovers nearly found a third when Ahmed’s delivery found Knowles at the back post, but he couldn’t keep his shot on target.

Peart then fired just wide of the goal from the edge of the area, with the visitors looking to find a way back into the game.

The Shots halved the deficit in the 65th minute when midfielder Charlie Warren guided the ball home from just inside the penalty area. 

Rovers thought they had restored their two-goal cushion five minutes from time when McAllister rounded Boyce-Clarke and passed the ball into an empty net, but he was judged to be offside.

A nervy final 10 minutes followed, but Rovers saw out the game well and remain fifth in the National League table. 

FULL TIME: ROVERS 2-1 ALDERSHOT

Forest Green Rovers: Isted, Ahmed (Pemberton 71st), Mingi (Bunker 59th), Kanu, Buyabu (Kengni 59th), Campbell, Mendy, Nwoko (Haughton 78th), McAllister ©, Knowles (Clarke 71st), Mellor

Subs not used: Pagel & Doidge 

Aldershot: Boyce-Clarke, Hill ©, Nightingale, Grogan, Sheckleford (Penney 45th), Meerholz (Frost 81st), Warren, Henry (Peart 45th), Hargreaves, Stewart (Nelson), Barrett (Thomas 45th)

Subs not used: Nash & Anderson

Attendance: 2281 (368 Away)