Match Report | Southend Utd 2-0 Forest Green
Rovers defeated by Southend
Forest Green Rovers fell to defeat away to Southend United in The Enterprise National League this afternoon.
An early first-half goal from James Golding following a corner put the hosts ahead in the opening three minutes of the game.
Southend had chances to go further ahead during periods of the first half, Rovers failing to lay anything significant on the Essex-based side.
Southend doubled their lead midway through the second half, Gus Scott-Morriss scoring, following another set-piece situation. Rovers created two good chances in the second half, with Kyle McAllister and D’Mani Mellor testing Collin Andeng Ndi.
First Half:
It was the perfect start for Southend United, who were in front after just three minutes, with James Golding heading home for Southend following a corner.
The home side continued to play well and started the better side in the opening ten minutes.
Keenan Appiah-Forson had an opportunity for the hosts to double their lead at 22 minutes; Harry Isted had to make an important save to stop the scoreline from doubling.
Laurent Mendy tested Southend keeper Ndi properly on the 26th, firing from the edge of the box.
Returning centre-back Ryan Inniss kept Rovers in it only a minute later with a fantastic headed block on the goal line to deny the hosts from going further ahead.
The hosts went close again on 40 minutes, with Gus Scott-Morris striking the base of the post after finding space to shoot in the Rovers area.
The home side piled more pressure on Rovers just before half-time, with Scott-Morris again, having another effort saved by Isted.
Half time: Southend United 1-0 Forest Green Rovers
Second Half:
The second half started similarly to the first, with the hosts having several good chances.
Tom Hopper had a headed opportunity on 57 minutes, to coincide with a large penalty shout for Southend, referee Paul Howard waving away the protests after Laurent Mendy brought down Oli Coker in the area.
Mendy tested Southend keeper Ndi a few minutes later with an effort from around 30 yards out but the keeper was equal to it.
Rovers’ talisman Kyle McAllister nearly dragged Rovers back into the game on 60 minutes after a quick counterattack led to the Scotsman finding himself one-on-one with Ndi to the right-hand post. McAllister attempted to flick the ball over the keeper, only for the Blues' shot stopper to paw the ball out of the air to stop the effort.
Southend doubled their lead in the 72nd minute, Gus Scott-Morriss firing home following a set-piece and a cross deep into the Rovers' box.
Rovers had more of the ball in the following ten minutes but struggled to create a real opportunity to threaten the hosts.
D’Mani Mellor’s header following a Tre Pemberton cross down the right-hand side was saved by Collin Andeng Ndi, Rovers’ only second decent opportunity of the half.
Rovers will have to re-group and go again now with a week on the training ground, and an inform Wealdstone team visiting The New Lawn on Saturday, 21st March.
Full-time: Southend 2-0 Forest Green Rovers
Southend United: Ndi, Scott-Morriss, Dallas (Walker 79), Hopper (Spasov 89), Gubbins, Taylor, Appiah-Forson (Mawene 89), Morton, Golding (Goodliffe 79), Coker (Austin 73), Boyes.
Subs not used: Bridge, Austin, Kendall.
Forest Green Rovers: Isted, Inniss (Kircough 74), Mendy, McAllister, Knowles (Marquez 74), Campbell (Clarke 46), Buyabu, Nwoko (Haughton 74), Kanu, Mellor, Ahmed (Pemberton 64).
Subs not used: Pagel, Kengni.
Attendance: 8,702 (178 away)
