Forest Green Rovers came from behind to beat Bristol City U21s 3-2 in a thrilling pre-season match, despite initial frustration at the fixture change. The visitors raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening half, with Ruebin Sheppard and Ephriam Yehboah finding the net to put Bristol City U21s in control. Forest Green responded in the 32nd minute when D’Mani Mellor tapped home from close range after a pinpoint cross from Tre Pemberton to halve the deficit. The comeback was completed after the break, with Liverpool loanee Kyle Kelly equalising before Mellor struck again to seal a 3-2 victory for Rovers. The fixture had originally been arranged as a test against Bristol City’s senior squad, but the Championship club changed plans after being scheduled to face Newcastle United on the same evening. Forest Green boss Robbie Savage praised the young players who took the lead, saying they were ‘magnificent’ and ‘credit to the management staff’. Despite his frustration at the fixture change, Savage was full of praise for the young players, saying they were ‘physically not ready for senior football, but they don’t get caught on the ball because they’re wary of that physical challenge’. Savage admitted he was unhappy with parts of Rovers’ performance despite the comeback win, particularly their defensive display. ‘First off, it wasn’t good enough,’ he said. ‘We didn’t press the ball. We were far too open in the middle of the park. Defensively, not great.’ Next fixture: vs Wealdstone (away, 2027-02-16) (20th in the table).