Match Report | Forest Green Rovers 3-1 Braintree Town

Forest Green Rovers confirmed their place in the National League play-offs this afternoon after beating relegated Braintree Town 3-1 at The New Lawn.

D’Mani Mellor put Rovers in front in the 37th minute, following up Kyle McAllister’s effort that smashed off the crossbar.

Braintree equalised through Lewis Walker after a goalmouth scramble in the second half.

Rovers regained the lead with a carbon copy of the first goal, this time Tom Knowles following up. Nick Haughton then put the game to bed with a well-taken goal to send Rovers into the play-offs.

First Half:

D’Mani Mellor had an excellent chance to put Rovers ahead in the second minute after being played through by Tom Knowles. The striker didn’t quite connect cleanly with his shot, which struck the legs of the onrushing Terry.

Nick Haughton then had an effort just twelve minutes later, the midfielder attempting to nestle the ball into the left-hand corner, but it whistled just wide of the post.

Braintree enjoyed some good passages of play down Rovers’ left-hand side; however, Rovers’ back three defended their area well.

It was D’Mani Mellor who broke the deadlock in the 37th minute with a classic poacher’s finish. The striker followed up on Kyle McAllister’s 30-yard strike, which rattled the crossbar, to nod the ball home.

Harry Isted made a big save just before half-time, making himself big to deny Braintree’s leading goalscorer, Lewis Walker, who was through on goal. The keeper then reacted quickly to deny the rebound and keep Rovers in front.

Half-time: Forest Green Rovers 1-0 Braintree Town

Second Half:

Braintree drew level just before the hour mark. With the Rovers defence sitting deep, a ball into the box from Chay Cooper was turned in by the sliding Lewis Walker to bring the Iron back on level terms.

Manager Robbie Savage then made four changes on the hour mark, with Cian Harries returning to The New Lawn pitch for the first time in just under a year, and Ricardo Rees also coming back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Rovers regained the lead on 70 minutes with almost a carbon copy of Mellor’s goal. Kyle McAllister struck from range; this time Terry saved it onto the head of Knowles. The Iron goalkeeper did well to stop the first rebound but could do nothing about the second, as Tom Knowles headed home for his 10th goal of the campaign.

Rovers extended their lead just two minutes later when D’Mani Mellor played a lovely pass out to Nick Haughton. The midfielder controlled it beautifully to create space before firing the ball perfectly over Mason Terry, confirming Rovers’ place in the National League play-offs.

Play-offs secured for Rovers, and manager Robbie Savage will be delighted that his young side has achieved this with two games to spare. A long trip to Hartlepool awaits for Rovers’ final away fixture of the league season.

Full-time: Forest Green Rovers 3-1 Braintree Town

Forest Green Rovers: Isted, Mendy, McAllister, Haughton, Knowles (Pemberton 82), Clarke (Nwoko 60), Moore-Taylor © (Harries 60), Campbell (Rees 60), Mingi, Buyabu (Kengni 60), Mellor.

Subs not used: Pagel, Etaluku.

Braintree Town: Terry, Francis-Clarke, Clampin ©, Battrum, Walker, Cooper, Babic (Harriott 79), Kamara (Akinde 62), Dibley-Dias (Vennings 79), Massiah-Edwards (Okunowo 79), Clarridge.

Subs not used: Thorpe, Hadi.

Attendance: 1969 (Away: 42)