FOREST Green's silky display at Nailsworth neighbours Shortwood United underlined how far David Hockaday's side have progressed inside a year, writes Richard Joyce and Ashley Loveridge.

Last season's corresponding fixture saw Shortwood United catch the eye in a draw with the Blue Square Premier outfit and prompted howls of negativity from a section of Forest Green fans.

However, Hockaday strengthened beyond believe during the season and a raft of summer captures this summer makes the team serious play-off contenders.

The gulf in class was tangible on Friday as Rovers fizzed in five goals. Shortwood would point to missing several key men, but the Southern League newcomers had no answer to Hockaday's men.

The energetic Jake Parrott was Shortwood's standout performer in midfield and the former Cheltenham Town youngster suggested the Blue Square Premier could be a future stamping ground for his admirable skills.

Shortwood included a raft of new faces. Former Swindon Supermarine and Chippenham Town striker Luke Gullick, who has also played for pro club San Juan Jabloteh in Trinidad.

Ex-Birmingham City defender Jack Rutter, former Forest Green and LA Galaxy trialist Kassim Suleman and Slimbridge midfielder Tom Cole also featured, whilst Forest Green loaned teenage keeper Rob Brown to their fellow Nailsworth side.

It had been all Forest Green up until just before the half-hour mark when Parrott's short ball from a free-kick just inside the Rovers half fed John Cant and the left winger drove a shot just wide of Matt Bulman's goal. Rovers took the lead five minutes before the break. Ben Wright gave Brown no chance with a stunning strike from 30 yards.

With Rovers ahead, the visitors almost made it two when Phil Marsh's well struck shot was stopped by Brown whilst at the other end Liam Meredith tried his luck from distance after a Parrott corner had fallen to the former Brimscombe & Thrupp man.

The Wood missed a chance to net parity after the break when substitute Joe Tustain fired straight at Bulman.

A Marsh effort, again from distance followed, and the power behind the former Manchester United striker strike saw the ball squirm under Brown but Matty Taylor's stab in to the net was ruled out. Brown did better to palm away a strongly hit Wright effort.

Shortwood levelled in the 53rd minute when the ball fell to James Coates who fired past Bulman . However, they were only level for a short while as Wright bagged his second on 59 minutes.

The outstanding Parrott illustrated his class with a free- kick that clipped the top of the crossbar.

Shortwood’s task would grow even harder when Magno Vieira, within 30 seconds of coming on as a second half replacement, was left unmarked and the Brazilian rolled the ball in to the back of the net to extend Rovers lead.

Yan Klukowski, another second half substitute, was then unfortunate to see his impressive dinking run end without a goal but last season's top goal scorer would get his chance in the 68th minute after Rovers were awarded a penalty after Tustain floored Chris Stokes.

Klukowski couldn't deliver though and his low penalty was well stopped by Brown, diving to his right.

Rovers would make up for Klukowski's missed spot kick in the 76th minute with a fourth when Reece Styche picked up on a loose ball at the back and fed Vieira who steered in his second.

Klukowski meanwhile, looking to make up for his rare penalty miss, drove in a fifth just seconds before the final whistle after good combination play inside the Shortwood box.

Shortwood boss John Evans was pleased with the way his side played.

He said: "To be level with a full-time professional outfit after an hour was more than pleasing and we worked our socks off.” Hockaday added: “ If they invite us again next year then we’ll be here. They’ve done brilliantly because they’ve looked after the grass and made sure it was a decent passing surface so we appreciated that.

“It was a good workout for us. There were times when we got a bit sloppy but it was a good workout.”

SHORTWOOD: R. Brown, Rutter, Bennett, Coates, Thomas (c), Haddock, Gullick, Cant, Singh, Parrott, Meredith.

Subs all used: C.Brown, Cole, Tustain, Slack, Suleman.

FOREST GREEN: Bulman, Turley, Oshodi (Brown 62), Todd (Green 62), Stokes, Bangura (Collins 62), Forbes (Rowe 62), Norwood (Klukowski 62), Taylor (Styche 62), Wright (Vieira 62), Marsh (Koroma 62).

Star Man: Ben Wright.

Attendance: 239.