Forest Green Rovers U18s secured a spot in the Severn Sport Shield final defeating Cirencester Town 4-2 at Ben’s Takeaway Stadium.
With the first team in Germany, the spotlight was on the youth side heading into their test with the Centurions on Wednesday night.
Rovers found themselves behind inside 10 minutes when Alex Bell capitalised on an error to find the bottom corner.
That goal sparked life into Rovers and on 23 minutes got themselves level when Jesse Aldridge superbly beat the goalkeeper from the corner of the area.
Rovers turned the game around less than 10 minutes later when Thomas Conteh was slipped into the area to calmly fire underneath the 'keeper.
The dominance continued at the start of the second period as Sergi Ismail found the net inside the opening minute from a Fraser Bell corner.
The Centurions pegged the young Rovers side back on 75 minutes when Marcel beat Callum Godfrey from distance.
But Yan Klukowski’s side secured the victory five minutes from time as Ismail slammed home from close range setting a final with Stonehouse Town on Saturday, July 20th back at Ben’s Takeaway Stadium.
Following the victory, U18s Head Coach Gary McDermott and midfielder Bell spoke on how delighted they were with the performance.
“We were great," said McDermott. "It was really good contest and good for us to play against a men’s side which is something we don’t usually get to do.
“We’re all looking forward to another challenge and the opportunity to win a trophy which just gives that added value for the players ahead of the season."
Captain Bell added: “We stuck to our principles really well tonight which meant they couldn’t get anywhere near us after starting the game slowly but were grew and scored four goals.
"You can’t get any better feeling really than winning football matches.
“Everyone is buzzing, and we can’t wait to get started (for the final). Winning it could give us a really good boost heading into the new season."
Starting XI: Tubbs (GK), Clarke, C. Walsh, Wilson, Petrynski, Aldridge, Mason, Bonnick, Conteh, Glover, Hughes
Bench: Godfrey (GK), S. Walsh, Ismail, Raut, Bell, Campbell, Marquez
