Forest Green Rovers travel to fellow play-off rivals Southend United tomorrow afternoon in what looks to be another excellent encounter between the two sides.
Manager Robbie Savage will be looking to make it three wins in a row in the league after recent results against Aldershot and Gateshead.
Rovers’ opponents have been playing catch-up in recent weeks, with the Shrimpers having midweek fixtures for the previous three weeks.
There was no love lost in the reverse fixture at The New Lawn, where Rovers claimed all three points with goals from Harry Whitwell and Kyle McAllister.
The Opposition: Gateshead
Nickname: ‘The Shrimpers’
League Position: 8th
Southend have had a decent campaign so far, with the Essex-based side currently sitting 8th in The Enterprise National League. A similar position to where they were at this stage last season. Having picked up 15 wins so far this season, the Shrimpers have struggled against teams within the top six of this year's division, failing to beat any of them but picking up good draws against Carlisle recently and York earlier on in the season.
Postponements over the winter period have resulted in games building up for the Seasiders, their last league win now coming against Brackley Town. A 2-1 win against Horsham booked a semi-final spot in the FA Trophy against Southport on the 28th of this current month. However, three draws in their previous league outings have put some pressure on manager Kevin Maher, who felt disappointed his side didn’t claim all three points against Gateshead on Tuesday evening after creating a good number of chances.
The Manager: Kevin Maher
Kevin Maher was appointed Southend Manager back in October 2021, taking over from Phil Brown to oversee the Shirmpers' first season in the National League after being relegated. In his playing career, Maher made over 450 appearances for Southend and won promotion twice.
The former Blues player oversaw a respectable 13th-place finish during his first season in charge, and then would go on to finish eighth, ninth and seventh. Leading his side to the play-off final last season after knocking Rovers out on penalties, only to be beaten by Oldham Athletic in extra time in the final. A tie in which Southend were leading after scoring in the first minute of extra time.
Player To Watch: Andrew Dallas
Andrew Dallas has been instrumental for the Shrimpers this campaign. Scoring 12 league goals in 34 appearances so far.
The Scotsman, who is currently on loan from Barnsley, is in great form, scoring in his last two appearances for the Blues, notably scoring an excellent goal on Tuesday evening against Gateshead.
New centre-back pairing Abraham Kanu and Jay Mingi will have to be aware of Dallas’ presence if Rovers want a chance of making three wins on the spin.
Head-To-Head:
24/11/2020- Southend 0-1 Rovers (Young 63rd)
24/02/2021- Rovers 1-3 Southend (Matt 86th)
23/11/2024- Southend 2-2 Rovers (Bunker 40th & Doidge 72nd)
15/03/2025- Rovers 2-2 Southend (Inniss 21st & Garrick 30th)
21/05/2025- Rovers 2-2 Southend (2-4) (Inniss 62nd & Osadebe 94th)
29/11/2025- Rovers 2-1 Southend (Whitwell 78th & McAllister 80th)
