Forest Green Rovers regained victory in the National League on the final day of February, securing a 2-0 win away at Gateshead in the North East.
Tom Knowles scored early, within the first five minutes, after connecting with a long pass from goalkeeper Harry Isted.
Gateshead created some promising chances to equalise during the first half, but Rovers’ defence and Isted kept them at bay.
The home team came out stronger after halftime, yet it was Rovers who extended their lead at 55 minutes when Chibby Nwoko scored his first senior goal with a precise lob.
First Half:
Tom Knowles got Rovers off to the perfect start, scoring in the opening five minutes. Rovers goalkeeper Harry Isted registered an assist with a long ball, which Knowles took well, slotting the ball past Heed keeper Jameson.
Jacob Butterfield had a good opportunity to pull the scores level in the 10th minute, after Jili Buyabu was dispossessed, the result found Butterfield running through and taking aim to test Isted down to his left.
Buyabu was part of the action once again when striker Ricardo Rees played the Sheffield United loanee through. However, it was a tame effort that Heed keeper Jameson easily gathered.
Rees had an effort himself on 26 minutes, after a Gateshead defender failed to head away a forward ball. Rees was sharp to latch onto the ball but could not quite angle his shot on target, and it flew wide.
Half time: Gateshead 0-1 Forest Green Rovers
Second Half:
The hosts came out on the better side in the second half, putting pressure on Rovers in the opening five minutes. Butterfield proved to be a danger again, testing Isted with a shot from the box. The Rovers keeper did well to take the sting out of the shot and hold on to the ball.
Another long ball forward from Isted in the 56th minute was well hooked by Knowles after Mendy won the aerial battle against his opponent. Gateshead defender Ben Radcliffe struggled with the aerial ball, and it fell nicely for Chibby Nwoko. The Fulham loanee controlled the ball very well with his chest and then dinked it into the far corner over Jameson.
Nwoko would feel he could have had another only five minutes late after Ashqar Ahmed cut the ball back for him, but he could float it over the bar after attempting to curl it in the far corner.
Rovers were dealt a blow in the 62nd minute, with the striker coming off injured after rolling his ankle in a tackle. Nwoko nearly secured his brace in the 67th minute, with captain Kyle McAllister putting it on a plate for the young midfielder, who just couldn’t quite convert in front of goal to finish off the move.
The hosts had a penalty shout only a minute later, with Billy Chadwick wriggling through into the box and then falling after a challenge from Jay Mingi. There was a large protest from the hosts and the home fans; however, referee Matthew McQuillan had other ideas and booked Chadwick for simulation.
The Rovers played the rest of the half very effectively, managing the game smoothly and defending strongly. Robbie Savage will be pleased to have secured a win after a difficult February. This victory elevates his team to 5th place in the Enterprise National League, surpassing Scunthorpe, who drew at home with Solihull Moors. Former Rovers loanee Isaac Moore scored in the final minute to secure a tie draw.
Full-time: Gateshead 0-2 Forest Green Rovers
Gateshead: Jameson, Nicholson, Ferguson © (Moore 82), Radcliffe, Anifowose (Chapman 58), Ward, Bowen (Home 71), John (Telford 71), Butterfield (Boatswain 58), Chadwick, Amantchi.
Subs not used: Storey, Richardson.
Forest Green Rovers: Isted, Mendy, McAllister ©, Knowles (Knowles 74), Campbell, Mingi, Buyabu (Kengni 61), Nwoko (Bunker 74), Kanu, Rees (Babalola 67), Ashqar.
Subs not used: Pagel, Haughton. Clarke.
Attendance: 702 (Away: 120)
