Match Report | FGR 3-2 Bristol City XI

Rovers’ complete comeback to claim Robbie Savage’s team’s first pre-season win at TNL, despite a first-half setback.

It was a thrilling evening of football in GL6 as Forest Green Rovers overcame a 2-0 deficit to come out 3-2 winners over a Bristol City XI.

The visitors went 2-0 up inside the first half thanks to goals from Ruebin Sheppard and Ephriam Yehboah.

FGR responded through D’Mani Mellor in the 32nd minute, who tapped home Tre Pemberton’s cross from close range.

Second-half goals came from Kyle Kelly and Mellor again, to complete the comeback in Rovers’ third home friendly.

First Half:

Rovers started strong as two new summer signings combined as Omari Patrick played in James Berry, but his shot was blocked.

New captain Kyle McAllister then forced former FGR keeper Brad Collins into action with a shot from distance which was tipped over.

The Robins then had their first chance of the evening, with Rhys Knight running through the Rovers midfield but his shot drifted wide.

Billy O’Neil’s shot was struck straight into the palms of Luke McNicholas to mark his first save of the evening.

Not long after, the Robins XI took the lead after Sheppard’s long-range effort beat a fully stretched McNicholas in the Rovers net.

The visitors doubled their lead seven minutes later through Yehboah’s strike, who was there to finish the effort created by the first scorer, Sheppard.

Rovers reacted well to the setback, as moments later, the home side pulled one back through Mellor, who tapped home Tre Pemberton’s low driven cross.

Forest Green sparked into life as they were on top for the remainder of the half, coming close first through Mellor once again, but his effort trickled wide.

FGR’s best chance came on the stroke of half-time with Saturday's goalscorer Kyle Kelly coming close to levelling things; however, his shot fired off the post.

Half-time – Forest Green 1-2 Bristol City XI 

Second Half:

Robbie Savage’s side got the second half underway, as the gaffer made five changes at the interval; Nick Haughton, Gabe Kircough, Josh Osude, Tate Campbell and Neil Kengni all came on to replace Kyle Ajayi, Oli Ewing, James Berry, Kyle McAllister and Omari Patrick.

Despite being behind at the break, the home side started the better of the two teams.

Liverpool loanee Kelly got a deserved equaliser for Rovers after 57 minutes, scoring his second in a row; Sean Etaluku picked out the midfielder from deep, who dinked Collins and headed home to level things up, despite Louie Derrick’s best efforts.

There was some amazing football on show in the second half from Rovers, and it wasn’t long until the comeback was complete - Mellor got his second of the game after 64 minutes, as Kengni’s cross from the right flank found the number nine, as he gave Rovers the lead.

Huge applause around The New Lawn as Ricardo Rees came on for his first appearance of pre-season after 67 minutes, as he replaced Mellor.

Kircough attempted an acrobatic effort, but was denied a fourth for Rovers, as his effort from outside the box unfortunately drifted wide.

FGR pushed hard to add to their lead during the latter stages of the second half, but it just wouldn’t come; Haughton’s effort from outside the 18-yard box was saved by Collins.

Rovers have just one more friendly to go before the season opener against FC Halifax Town next Saturday.

Swindon Town are the visitors to GL6 on the weekend; tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket office.

Full Time – Forest Green 3-2 Bristol City XI

Forest Green Rovers: McNicholas, Pemberton (Agina 74’), Obi, Ajayi (Haughton 46’), Ewing (Kircough 46’), Etaluku (Conteh 70’), Patrick (Kengni 46’), Kelly (Walsh 63’), McAllister (Campbell 46’), Mellor (Rees 67’), Berry (Osude 46’)

Subs not used: Pagel

Bristol City XI: Collins, Barimah, Anderson, Derrick, Sainsbury, Sheppard, Knight, Murphy, Yehboah, O’Neil, Skinner.

Subs: Williams, Murphy, Wood, Amos, Hogg, Ikpeama, Griffin, Abbott, Akinbo.

Attendance: 1,173 (104 away)