Match Report

Forest Green Rovers extended their unbeaten streak to seven games following a 2-0 win over promotion rivals Gateshead at the Gateshead International Stadium on Saturday.

Steve Cotterill named just one change from his side that drew with Wealdstone last Saturday handing forward Harry Cardwell is first start for the club.

Rovers made a fast start, just like last weekend, taking the lead on six minutes when Liam Sercombe rifled a deflected effort into the roof of the net on the angle, moments after Tom Knowles had dragged his effort just wide.

It was a result built on a solid defensive performance by Rovers starting on 27 minutes when Jed Ward got down quickly to smother a Tom Allen effort at his near post.

Moments later, Jamie Robson was on hand to deny Gateshead an opportunity as he managed to cut out a well-placed low cross inside the six-yard box to deny an open Owen Oseni.

The second 45 played out similarly with Rovers starting quickly as on 58 minutes - a ball over the top found Kyle McAllister but his effort was well smothered by the Gateshead goalkeeper.

Cotterill’s defenders continued to impress in the second half with Robson yet again putting himself in the way of a goal bound Mark Beck header on 67 minutes.

As the game grew deeper Gateshead continued to put pressure of Rovers but were again denied by a fantastic flying save by Ward who stopped a Tyrelle Newton curling effort on 86 minutes.

But Rovers secured all three points from the mammoth trip to the north-east when Christian Doidge tapped home a Marcel Lavinier low cross, taking his tally to seven for the season.

It’s a quick turnaround for Cotterill and his side as we are back on the road on Tuesday September 24th when we take Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.

Starting XI - Ward (GK), Long (Bunker 46’), Tozer, Moore-Taylor (C), Robson, McCann, May, Sercombe (Osadebe 62’), McAllister (Quigley 72’), Knowles (Lavinier 80’), Cardwell (Doidge 62’)

Unused subs: Searle (GK), Maddox

Player of the Match - Jed Ward

Attendance: 1,112 (97 away)