Rovers return home to the Fully Charged New Lawn this weekend to face Class of 92-owned, Salford City.

Here’s all you need to know about the Greater Manchester outfit.

MEET THE MANAGER: GARY BOWYER

Salford City appointed Bowyer as head coach in May this year after a two-month stint as interim manager at the end of last season.

In his short spell at the helm last season, Bowyer achieved the League Two Manager of the Month award for April this year, also leading the club to eighth in the final standings.

The Ammies Head Coach had a short playing career with stints at Westfields, Hereford United, Nottingham Forest and Rotherham United before sadly having to retire at the age of 25 due to injury.

The Manchester born Bowyer ventured into the world of coaching shortly after his retirement with youth coaching roles at the likes of Derby County and Blackburn Rovers.

In December 2012 the 50-year-old was appointed as caretaker manager at Blackburn where he had a pair of spells in the dugout before taking the permanent role in 2013 where he stayed until November 2015.

Bowyer has also endured spells as manager at Blackpool, Bradford City and most recently Derby County where he returned to an under 23’s manager role after 17 years away from the club.

KEY PLAYER: LIAM SHEPHARD

The former FGR man returns to Nailsworth this Saturday after playing for the club for two seasons between 2018 and 2020, scoring 7 goals in 67 appearances.

The Welshman started his professional career at Swansea City after time in their youth academy, making one appearance during his time at the Liberty Stadium.

During those Swansea years, Shephard was loaned out for three successive seasons at Yeovil Town, making 72 appearances for the Glovers scoring one goal.

In July 2017, after four years on the books at Swansea, the 26-year-old signed for Peterborough United before joining Rovers a year later.

After a one season stint at Newport County in 2020-21, Shephard moved to the north-west where he now plays for this weekend’s visitors.

The right-back has provided one assist in his 13 games whilst also amassing 5 clean sheets in the process.

FORM: DWLLW

2/10/21 – Colchester United 0-2 Salford City

5/10/21 – Salford City 0-2 Tranmere Rovers

9/10/21 – Walsall 2-1 Salford City

16/10/21 – Salford City 2-0 Hartlepool United

19/10/21 – Salford City 0-0 Rochdale

LAST TIME OUT:

Salford City were held to a stalemate by local rivals Rochdale in the first competitive meeting between the two sides.

In a game of many chances, neither side were able to break the deadlock at The Peninsula Stadium.

Conor McAleny was close to opening the scoring for the home side when his effort whistled past the post in the early stages.

Matty Willock and McAleny both were presented with opportunities to give Salford the lead before the break, but they failed to put the ball in the back of the net.

The visitors best chance of the game came in the second half when George Broadbent missed a great chance for Dale to take the lead.

Jake Beesley, former Ammie’s man, had a great opportunity to snatch a last gasp winner for the away side but it wasn’t to be.

LAST TIME WE MET:

FGR fell to a 2-0 loss to Salford City at the Fully Charged New Lawn in April.

A brace from Ian Henderson gave Gary Bowyer his first victory as interim manager, condemning Forest Green to five matches without victory.

The Ammies came close to opening the scoring early on, but Jordan Moore-Taylor managed to block Brandon Thomas-Asante’s attempt after a beautiful through ball into the box.

With half-time approaching, Henderson sweetly struck a 25-yard volley into the Rovers net to score his first of the game.

In a second period of few chances, Henderson managed to double the Greater Manchester side’s lead with ten minutes to go, putting away a George Boyd cross.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Rovers and this weekend’s opponents have only come across each other four times in the past, with their first meeting coming as recently as 2019.

It’s this weekend’s visitors that edge the record with two wins, whilst Rovers have recorded one victory as well as one draw between the sides.

Forest Green’s only win against Salford came in their first meeting as Rovers came away from The Peninsula Stadium with a 4-0 victory.

Bowyer’s side have travelled to Gloucestershire twice winning on both occasions, so FGR will be looking to break that statistic on Saturday.