Meadowbank Ground Monday, July 15th, 2013   1st Team Friendly Attendance: 297         Shortwood United 0-2 Forest Green Rovers
2013 /14

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Shortwood United 0 vs - Forest Green Rovers 2 Date: 15/07/2013 7:30 pm Attendance: 297 Venue: Meadowbank Norwood and Koroma clinch Shortwood win Shortwood United Away Forest Green made it three wins out of three with a controlled performance at the picturesque Meadowbank home of Shortwood United, writes Richard Joyce. Two first half goals once again were enough for Rovers who followed up last week’s victories over Brimscombe and Swindon Town in what is now proving to be an annual Nailsworth meeting. James Norwood’s well-directed header and Omar Koroma’s cool finish were the solid pillars in the foundation of Rovers victory while Matty Taylor’s second half header, which crashed on to the crossbar, had the potential to make the score line emphatic. Shortwood did have their moments though, with just the final product lacking, as Rovers fielded two separate elevens once again with soon to be new signing Marcus Kelly illustrating his versatility in both midfield and at left back. The evening’s first major incident was Norwood’s early goal, when after just ten minutes, Jared Hodgkiss’s superb delivery from the right found the England C man at the back post and he calmly directed a header into the side netting. Rovers new number seven was quickly in search of his second minutes later but he found Wood keeper Tom King too difficult to pass as the former Forest Green youth team shot-stopper pulled off a solid save. Hodgkiss was mounting a serious attacking effort down the right in the opening forty five minutes and the former West Bromich Albion defender crossed for Ben Wright midway through the half and the latter smashed an effort against the woodwork. King once again saved well from Magno Vieira’s low effort but could do nothing to stop Rovers from doubling their lead five minutes before half time. Wright’s lofted ball forward was collected confidently by Koroma who turned expertly to fire past King to settle the match in Rovers favour. The second half was a quiet affair compared to the first period but it was the hosts who were the quickest out of the blocks as Tim Haddock blasted a shot wide after the newly introduced Joe Tustain had done well to set him up. King was kept busy at the other end meanwhile, saving a strong header from Danny Wright, however Sam Russell was additionally called in to action for Rovers with a deft touch that prevented Tustain from finding the net from a tight angle. Shortwood’s hard work left them still with a major part to play in the game, but Rovers were the side who ended the strongest as they could have made it three ten minutes from the end when Taylor headed Yan Klukowski’s corner on to the crossbar. Klukowski would try his luck with one final effort that skittled wide but it was another good workout for David Hockaday’s unit as they prepare for another visit to a local outfit in the shape of Slimbridge on Wednesday.