Vanarama Conference

AFC Telford 0

Forest Green 1

THE performance was unconvincing, but the end result was by far the most important factor, as Lee Hughes struck a second half header that earned Forest Green maximum points at basement boys AFC Telford, writes Richard Joyce.

Rovers' showing against the Vanarama Conference’s strugglers did little to provide much excitement, however Ady Pennock’s men returned home to Gloucestershire with their third away win of the campaign.

A sixth goal of the season for Hughes was enough to see off a stubborn home side.

The Bucks had burst out of the traps early on, however Rovers defended bravely, and snatched hold of the chance to seal the win when the opportunity presented itself in the second half.

One change saw goal scorer Hughes elevated to the starting eleven in place of Jon Parkin who dropped to the bench.

There was a place among the replacements for Rodgers, while Academy midfield starlet, Louis McGrory, featured on the bench for a second game in a row.

Liam Watson’s AFC Telford side have struggled along in the division so far this season – having registered just one win in fifteen outings.

Although they were well up for this meeting as they started brightly, helped along by Sam Smith’s speculative effort which flew over Sam Russell’s crossbar after only three minutes.

Hughes spurned a good early opportunity for FGR, while Jordan Deacey couldn’t get his long distance strike on target after Russell was left stranded.

After a hack off the line prevented the home side from opening the scoring on 23 minutes, Rovers settled and began to start influencing proceedings.

Rob Sinclair saw his effort after Elliott Frear had squared the ball to him emphatically blocked, and the former Salisbury City midfielder then saw another attempt float wide at the end of the first period.

The second half produced very much the same from the two sides, with the Rovers travelling support superbly boosting the team verbally from the away end.

Bucks substitute Adam Farrell tried to inflict some fire into the host’s attack when he was introduced, and the former AFC Fylde man powered an effort on goal that Russell was forced to direct behind.

FGR boss Ady Pennock made a double substitution at the midpoint of the half, bringing on Kurtis Guthrie and Rodgers - and the duo made an immediate impact.

Guthrie almost headed in within minutes of entering the fray as he tried his best to knock Marcus Kelly’s whipped free kick towards goal.

Meanwhile just a minute later Rodgers played a key role as Forest Green bagged the match-winning goal.

His cross from the right  took a deflection on its way through to Hughes who, was waiting in the centre.

And the deflection fell kindly for the striker, who was able to calmly push FGR in front with a delicate header towards the near post.

Rovers’ goal knocked the stuffing out of AFC Telford, who tried hard to rally late on only to be left with the disappointment of what would ultimately be their tenth loss this season.

Telford United: J. Hedge; N. Byrne (K. Platt 69), A. Parry, R. McDonald; R. Higgins, M. Grogan, G. Poku, T. Gray (M. Phenix 75), S. Clancy; J. Deacey (A. Farrell 54), S. Smith; Subs not used: S. Cooke, A. Pryce.

Forest Green: S. Russell; D. Pipe, E. Oshodi, D. Coles, M. Kelly; J. Norwood, R. Sinclair, S. Wedgbury, E. Frear (L. Rodgers 67); L. Hughes (J. Parkin 84), C. Jolley (K. Guthrie 68).

Subs not used: D. Bennett, L. McGrory.

Referee: A. Holmes (Yorkshire).

Attendance: 1,361.

Star man: Sam Wedgbury.