Warm-up victory for Forest Green
FOREST Green Rovers continued their pre-season preparation with a 2-0 win over Royal Wootton Bassett Town after goals from Jamie Robson and Kyle McAllister on Saturday afternoon.
Robson opened the scoring just before the half-time interval after a great ball was played through to him to slot home.
In the last minute of the game, McAllister doubled the Rovers’ lead after a driven effort past the Wootton Bassett goalkeeper.
Rovers boss Steve Cotterill, inset, said: “I think it seems as though everyone we have played at the moment, the goalkeepers have been blessed as well.
“We could have scored five at Slimbridge, we definitely could have scored five today and the goalkeepers seem to be inspired at the moment.”
Rovers have just returned from their pre-season training camp in Germany. Having been away for the last fortnight, Cotterill said on the trip: “It was fantastic, it was really good, some great bonding out there.”
He added: “We’ve worked really hard, we haven’t had enough time to do pattern work out there because we have had a few injuries which is a bit of a problem for us at the moment.”
Cotterill also confirmed that Dan Barden, who was on trial with the Rovers while away in Germany would not be continuing on with the club. He said: “Norwich were great letting us have him for a week or 10 days, that isn’t one we’re going to take forward.”
The Rovers boss provided an update on Liam Sercombe and Adam May who did not play on Saturday due to injury.
“They’re getting better, but they’re behind a little bit,” he said. “I’d say that Adam is a touch closer than Liam.”
Cotterill was asked if fans could expect to see any new players before the next pre-season game.
“I don’t know, we haven’t got a window to adhere to here so we’re not under pressure,” he said. “People will say that the season is coming around in a couple of weeks, we know that and are aware of that. What we are not going to do is take anyone.”
Rovers next face a visit to local side, Shortwood United, on Wednesday for their penultimate game of pre-season.