Forest Green finally into FA Cup second round after win over Scarborough

Posted Wednesday, December 13, 2023 by PA

Forest Green finally saw off National League North part-timers Scarborough 4-2 in the FA Cup.

Tyrese Omotoye, Callum Morton, Sean Robertson and Matty Stevens scored the goals as the first-round tie was settled following a third contest between the two clubs.

Forest Green, who also won a home replay 5-2 last month, were found guilty of failing to inform the FA that they had permission to include a loan player in their squad.

Blackpool now await in the second round next Tuesday but Scarborough were no pushovers, taking an early lead and then reducing the deficit to 3-2 late on with a Luca Colville effort.

Scarborough took the lead just before the half-hour mark when an unchallenged Ryan Qualter’s far-post header from Finlay Barnes’ right-wing free-kick was parried away by Forest Green keeper James Belshaw only to bounce back over the line off unfortunate centre-back Darnell Johnson.

But the visitors, without a first-half away goal since March 4 prior to this contest, were level five minutes later when exposed Scarborough keeper Ryan Whitley could not prevent Morton’s downward header from Jamie Robson’s left-wing centre squeezing under his body. Omotoye claimed the goal with a final touch as the ball crossed the line.

After the break, Barnes broke clear on the away goal but was denied by Belshaw before Morton drilled in a 12-yard shot with Robson again providing the assist from the left flank.

The spirited Seadogs refused to surrender, with Lewis Maloney’s free-kick clipping an upright.

Robertson looked to have settled matters on 84 minutes when he finished confidently after charging clear on goal but Colville gave Scarborough renewed hope of an upset when he prodded in from eight yards following a Maloney cross.

Stevens, though, eventually wrapped up victory, tapping into an empty net on 89 minutes following Teddy Jenks’ square pass.