Swindon Town advance to the third round of the FA Cup after Blair Sturrock scores the winning goal against Forest Green Rovers during an action packed afternoon at the County Ground.
Forest Green started the match infront of over 1,500 fans who made the trip from Gloucestershire.
The script seemed to have been written when Swindon took an early 1-0 lead thanks to a Jon-Paul McGovern goal.
Town fans would have a bit of fun during the first half chanting “WE WANT MOURINHO” and “WE ARE NO ONE’S RED AND WHITE ARMY” to lighten the mood.
The score remained 1-0 at half time however Forest Green were not about to sit back and see their dreams of a FA Cup 3rd round draw dissapear.
Just after the break the ever dangerous Stuart Fleetwood equlised for the visitors and made the score 1-1 with a fantastic goal. You can clearly see why he is the top rated striker outside of the Football League.
Town were struggling to match their non-league opposition in the second half and soon found themselves on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline as Mark Beesley scored a header to give Forest Green Rovers a 2-1 advantage. The Forest Green fans were sent into raptures dancing in the rain.
Luckily for Town, the 201 lead would only last 3 minutes as captain Hasney Aljofree levelled with a header to bring Town back on level terms before injuring himself.
David Byrne would take off fan favourite Barry Corr and replace him with the ex managers son, Blair Sturrock, who stupidly received some abuse from a section of Town fans.
The abuse would not last long though as Blair would score the winning goal on the 88th minute to make sure that Town did not have to go to The New Lawn for a replay and ensured their name is in the hat for a massive FA Cup 3rd round tie.
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Manager Rating
David Byrne 8/10 – I must admit I love this guys attitude. He will get straight to the point as noted in his post match interview. He brought in Chris Allen which was a risk but he did not look out of place. The addition of Blair Sturrock was perfect, I wouldn’t mind if Byrne got the job for good however it doesnt seem as if he wants it.
Opponent Rating
Jim Harvey 9/10 – His players did not stop. He has master minded Forest Greens rise from the bottom of the Conference to just outside of the playoffs. He was unlucky with injuries earlier on during the game but Forest Green will certainly continue to rise with Harvey in charge.
Swindon Town Line Up
Brezovan, Jack Smith, Comminges, Aljofree, Tozer, McGovern, Easton, Pook, Roberts (Allen 61), Corr (Sturrock 83), Paynter.
Subs Not Used: Scott, Nicholas, Blackburn.
Forest Green Rovers Line Up
Robinson, Jones, Tonkin, Giles, Hardiker, Lawless (Afful 26), Pitman (Smith 17), Clist, Stonehouse, Beesley, Fleetwood (Bertram 83).
Subs Not Used: Rigoglioso, Preece.
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phew. Bring on Arsenal.
Just how good is the lad Fleetwood who is scoring all Forest Green’s goals?
Not a blair fan -but fair play to him,Paynter looked lazy and as though he couldn’t be bothered he should have been subbed not Corr. IMO.
paynter has looked very lazy since settling in , blair is good sub but is rubbish we he starts , corr is by far our best striker at the minute
Coor and Cox to start on Tuesday
I mean Corr