Forest Green pull off fine win at Exeter

Posted Sunday, October 28, 2018 by PA

Forest Green ruined the party atmosphere at St James Park as they cruised to a comfortable 2-1 win over third-placed Exeter.

The home side were celebrating the opening of their new Stagecoach Adam Stansfield Stand, but the atmosphere turned flat as a poor City side were easily beaten by Rovers.

The away side had the better of possession in a largely uninspiring first half, yet it was Exeter that came closest to scoring.

Pierce Sweeney’s excellent pass was knocked down by Jayden Stockley and Nicky Law ran onto the ball, rounded goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but his shot clipped the inside of the near post and rolled across goal and away to safety.

Forest Green took just five minutes to break the deadlock at the start of the second half. Reece Brown picked the ball up on the corner of the penalty box and curled a delightful shot across goal and into the far top corner.

Rovers continued to play the better football and doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when Liam Shephard found himself in space on the edge of the penalty box and smashed a superb shot across goal and into the far corner.

Aaron Martin pulled a goal back in stoppage time in bizarre circumstances when his clearance from halfway went straight to Sanchez, but he inexplicably allowed the ball to go under his foot and into the net.