Forest Green Rovers came from behind to claim a 3-2 victory over Bristol City XI in a thrilling pre-season friendly. The win marks a positive start to the season for the Rovers, who have just one more friendly to go before the season opener against FC Halifax Town next Saturday.
What happened?
Forest Green Rovers were trailing 2-0 at halftime, but a second-half comeback saw them level the score and eventually take the lead. D'Mani Mellor scored twice, while Kyle Kelly also found the back of the net.
Why it matters for Forest Green
The win is a boost to the team's morale and a positive sign for the upcoming season. The Rovers have been working hard to improve their squad and this result will give them confidence ahead of the new season.
What comes next?
Forest Green Rovers have just one more friendly to go before the season opener against FC Halifax Town next Saturday. The team will be looking to build on this momentum and make a strong start to the season.
The match was played at The New Lawn, with Forest Green Rovers starting strong. New signings Omari Patrick and James Berry combined well, with Patrick playing in Berry, but his shot was blocked. New captain Kyle McAllister then forced former FGR keeper Brad Collins into action with a shot from distance which was tipped over.
The Robins then had their first chance of the evening, with Rhys Knight running through the Rovers midfield but his shot drifted wide. Billy O'Neil's shot was struck straight into the palms of Luke McNicholas to mark his first save of the evening.
Not long after, the Robins XI took the lead after Sheppard's long-range effort beat a fully stretched McNicholas in the Rovers net. The visitors doubled their lead seven minutes later through Yehboah's strike, who was there to finish the effort created by the first scorer, Sheppard.
Rovers reacted well to the setback, as moments later, the home side pulled one back through Mellor, who tapped home Tre Pemberton's low driven cross. Forest Green sparked into life as they were on top for the remainder of the half, coming close first through Mellor once again, but his effort trickled wide.
FGR's best chance came on the stroke of half-time with Saturday's goalscorer Kyle Kelly coming close to levelling things; however, his shot fired off the post.
Robbie Savage's side got the second half underway, as the gaffer made five changes at the interval; Nick Haughton, Gabe Kircough, Josh Osude, Tate Campbell and Neil Kengni all came on to replace Kyle Ajayi, Oli Ewing, James Berry, Kyle McAllister and Omari Patrick.
Despite being behind at the break, the home side started the better of the two teams. Liverpool loanee Kelly got a deserved equaliser for Rovers after 57 minutes, scoring his second in a row; Sean Etaluku picked out the midfielder from deep, who dinked Collins and headed home to level things up, despite Louie Derrick's best efforts.
There was some amazing football on show in the second half from Rovers, and it wasn't long until the comeback was complete - Mellor got his second of the game after 64 minutes, as Kengni's cross from the right flank found the number nine, as he gave Rovers the lead.
Huge applause around The New Lawn as Ricardo Rees came on for his first appearance of pre-season after 67 minutes, as he replaced Mellor. Kircough attempted an acrobatic effort, but was denied a fourth for Rovers, as his effort from outside the box unfortunately drifted wide.
FGR pushed hard to add to their lead during the latter stages of the second half, but it just wouldn’t come; Haughton’s effort from outside the 18-yard box was saved by Collins.
Rovers have just one more friendly to go before the season opener against FC Halifax Town next Saturday. Next fixture: vs Wealdon (away, 2027-02-16) (20th in the table).
