The boys are looking to put an end to Forest Green’s unbeaten start to the season tomorrow as they travel to the New Lawn on the back of a tough night at Crawley.
Town have already faced their Nailsworth counterparts this season in the Carabao Cup, but despite dominating, were beaten 1-0 – Tahvon Campbell scoring the game’s only goal on the hour mark.
The Oppo: Forest Green Rovers
After spending the best part of 20 years in the top tier of non-league football, Forest Green were promoted to the Football League at the end of the 2016-17 season. They defeated Tranmere Rovers at Wembley, and made Nailsworth the smallest town to host a Football League club.
In their first season in the EFL, Rovers finished 21st – a point above relegated Barnet.
The Green sit two places and a single point behind the Robins in the League Two table but are yet to lose this campaign.
On the opening day of their second season in the fourth tier, Rovers put four past Grimsby – Carl Winchester scored their opening goal with Christian Doidge bagging a late brace, following an own goal.
Since then, Forest Green have only won once – in the League Cup against Swindon. They’ve drawn the rest of their games against Oldham, Bury, and most recently Stevenage.
Head-to-Head:
These two sides have faced each other five times in their history – four of those meetings have come in the last year.
The first match-up was back in 2007 where Town prevailed 3-2 winners in the FA Cup Second Round. Jon-Paul McGovern, Hasney Aljofree and Blair Sturrock the goalscorers that day.
In the last year, Town have taken home the points whereas Forest Green have obtained bragging right in the cup competitions.
Swindon won both league games last year to nil – in September 2017, late goals from Olly Lancashire and Matt Taylor secured victory before Luke Norris’ effort won the game at the County Ground in January.
The Gaffer
Mark Cooper is a familiar face to Town fans – appointed in 2013, he led the club to 8th in League One in his first season in charge. The following season was a memorable one – a thrilling semi-final against Sheffield United (that 5-5, at the County Ground) set up a chance for promotion at Wembley. It was not to be as the Robins were denied on the day by Preston North End.
Since his stint at Swindon he has been in charge of Notts County – he was set a points target which he met, but decided to leave to become manager of the Green.
Tickets
Tickets are sold out and will not be available to buy at the ground – tickets pre-bought but not picked up will be taken on the supporters coach.
