Ebou Adams’ stoppage-time goal gave Forest Green a 2-1 over Sutton United on Saturday, getting the Rob Edwards era off to a perfect start.
Sutton started brightly at the New Lawn, in what was their first football league game in their 123-year history.
Omar Bugiel was a threat against his former club and only a last-ditch foul from Jordan Moore-Taylor snuffed out his buccaneering run on goal.
However, it was Rovers who nosed ahead on the half-hour – Matty Stevens placing a towering header across goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis from Nicky Cadden’s arrowed cross.
Sutton grabbed the initiative after the break and Bugiel scored his side’s first EFL goal as he pounced on statuesque Rovers defending to stab the ball beyond Luke McGee.
Cadden saw a deflected strike kiss the top of the crossbar as Forest Green upped the tempo.
With Sutton looking to bag their first point, Adams had the last word, glancing home a free-kick from Regan Hendry in the first minute of time added on.
New Rovers boss Rob Edwards lauded the impact of Stevens, who had previously endured a frustrating spell on loan at Stevenage last season.
“He’s a delight to work with and he deserved to start the game and deserved his goal, I’m delighted with him – he’s so honest and he took his goal with precision.”
Edwards was equally delighted with match-winner Adams, and added: “Whenever Ebou plays, he probably plays all 11 positions anyway. He’s all over the place.
“Ebou’s best position is one where he’s able to run and get into forward positions, and that’s what we’ve challenged him to do this year.
“One of his main roles this season will be to run forward and get in the box. He’s also got such energy and athleticism that we want him to run back, make blocks and make tackles in our box.
“We want our players to do what they’re good at, and Ebou is good at running – along with lots of other things. He’s certainly capable of chipping in with goals this year.”
Edwards was fulsome in his praise for his new summer recruits, with Regan Hendry catching the eye alongside Ben Stevenson.
“Regan and Ben were really good and we showed lots of encouraging signs, but the challenge is to build on this,” Edwards said.
“Sutton were excellent, it wasn’t a pretty game, but we will take the three points.”
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