Forest Green secured a vital 2-0 victory over Eastleigh at The New Lawn on Wednesday night. Goals from Grigg and Mabete earned the three points and lifted the club to 18th in the National League standings with 15 points from 12 games, a record of four wins, three draws and five losses.
Grigg opened the scoring in the 28th minute, finishing off a move assisted by Abrefa. The home side managed the game well from there, with Mabete adding a second goal in the 76th minute to seal the win. The result marks a positive response after a recent run of form that had seen them lose to Barrow and draw with Wealdstone. Their form over the last five matches now stands at two wins, one draw and two losses, following the sequence of a win against Chesham United, a draw with the same side, a loss to Hartlepool, a loss to Barrow and this win over Eastleigh.
Key moments
Eastleigh's Sidwell received a yellow card early on, setting a physical tone. Forest Green's first change came in the 24th minute when Kengni replaced Sass. After Grigg's opener, the visitors made a triple substitution at half-time in search of a way back into the match.
Forest Green's discipline was tested in the second half, with Etaluku and goalscorer Mabete both picking up bookings. The hosts made further changes to see out the game, introducing Mellor for Grigg and later bringing on Ifeanyi and Haughton. The clean sheet was a welcome boost for a defence that had conceded 22 goals in the league this season, against 19 scored for a goal difference of minus three.
What comes next
The win provides momentum ahead of a significant test this Saturday 31 October. Forest Green will host promotion-chasing Harrogate Town, who currently sit second in the standings. That match at The New Lawn kicks off a busy period in the fixtures schedule. With the gap to the leaders at 26 points, every home game is now key for building a platform in the middle of the table.
