Searle the star as Rovers win bonus point

Jamie Searle’s penalty heroics helped Forest Green Rovers to a 4-2 shoot-out victory following their 1-1 draw with Walsall in the EFL Trophy at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.  

Rovers made nine changes from Saturday’s defeat at Accrington Stanley with David Horseman looking for an improved performance.  

Improved it seemed as Rovers were denied the lead inside the opening minute when Callum Morton had his driven effort well blocked on the line.  

Walsall grew into the game, but Rovers had the next best chance to take the lead on 18 minutes when Teddy Jenks cut a cross back to Morton who placed his effort past the post. 

Rovers may have been disappointed with the lack of chances created in the first period but could take something from the fact they also limited Walsall’s creation.  

Their best chance came on the stroke of half time from ex-Rovers man, Taylor Allen, had a distanced effort parried away. 

Horseman made a double change at the break as Rovers looked for a breakthrough, introducing Harvey Bunker and Matty Taylor to the mix.  

This change sparked a positive start to the second half and on 51 minutes Jenks picked out Tyrese Omotoye, inside the area, who poked Rovers into the lead from close range.   

Matty Stevens almost doubled Rovers’ lead three minutes later when Marcel Lavinier sent him one-on-one with Jackson Smith who rushed out to block the effort. 

From Walsall’s keeper heroics at one end to Rovers’ Searle at the other who, for the second EFL Trophy game running, denied the opposition from the penalty spot just before the hour mark. 

But on 67 minutes Walsall made up for the missed penalty as Isaac Hutchinson curled a low effort past Searle from 18-yards, taking the game to penalties. 

Walsall had themselves on the back foot in the shoot-out as Ryan Stirk saw his penalty saved by Searle, who later denied Danny Johnson. 

Rovers were perfect from the spot netting all four penalties with Bunker scoring the decisive spot kick, bagging a vital bonus point which sent Rovers top of Southern Group A.