New Lawn Tuesday, October 9th, 2012   Conference Attendance: 1,022         Forest Green Rovers 1-2 Tamworth
2012 /13

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Forest Green Rovers 1 vs Tamworth 2 Date: 09/10/2012 7:45 pm Attendance: 1022 Venue: Home Rovers frustrated as Lambs hold on Well-travelled Tamworth held on for their lives to pick up maximum points at The New Lawn as Rovers tasted a second consecutive defeat, writes Richard Joyce. Marcus Law’s impressive side inflicted Forest Green’s only home defeat so far this season with two first half goals that knocked Rovers out of their stride. Chris Stokes was unfortunate to put the ball in to his own net to send the Lambs on their way while the potent Adam Cunnington struck from the penalty spot only for Jamie Collins to pull a goal back for Rovers. Steve Brogan was handed his first start and it was the same for Paul Green who returned from injury to line up against his former club as the starting eleven missed the suspended Eddie Oshodi. The game started brightly for Forest Green, who were looking to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat at Wrexham, when Stokes powerful low strike was beaten away by the visitors goalkeeper, Tony Breeden. The Lambs shot stopper was busy again shortly after when James Norwood’s mazy run again saw another Forest Green strike parried away from goal. Tamworth, who have picked up plenty of points on the road already this season, began to enforce themselves on the game and their pressure on the Rovers goal led to the opener. Under pressure Stokes did his best to clear a lofty Cunnington effort towards goal but Rovers full back could only help the Blue Square Bet Premier’s top scorer attempt in to the net. Just minutes later and a mad five minutes saw Tamworth double their lead from the penalty spot. A chaotic scuffle in the Rovers box saw Graham Horwood point straight to the spot and Cunnington stepped up to confidently stroke the ball in to give Tamworth a big advantage. Tamworth’s lead put the Staffordshire side fully in control and only a Brogan effort easily collected by Breeden would mark Rovers response as they went in to the break behind. A big second half performance was needed if Rovers were to get something out of the game and Jamie Collins left footed strike that blazed over marked an intention to start the half fast. And Collins was the man who would pull a goal back minutes later as half time substitute Yan Klukowski provided a swift cross that was emphatically headed in by Collins to give Forest Green a lifeline. Collins header offered Rovers a chance to get back in to the game, and they instantly piled on the pressure on the away side with Breeden making an excellent stop to deny Matty Taylor who delivered a low strike. Klukowski’s introduction at the break was certainly playing a major impact on Forest Green’s performance in the second period, and his free kick was tipped over smartly by Breeden. The Tamworth keeper was playing a major role in stopping Rovers from finding the leveller they desperately wanted, and he did well to stop Magno Vieira’s shot from a low Taylor cross. Rovers persistently cannon-balled the Lamb’s goal as the match entered stoppage time and astonishingly a goal mouth scramble in the final moments saw Tamworth come out unscathed and with three points in tow. Taylor’s close range shot was blocked away with Vieira’s follow up also somehow kept out too as Tamworth held on to continue their impressive away record and to leave Forest Green understandably frustrated.