As Forest Green Rovers prepare to travel to Newport for the first leg of their play-off semi final, here are five things to watch out for during Tuesday’s clash at Rodney Parade.
Cheltenham Town have already been promoted to League One as champions and local rivals Forest Green Rovers will look to join them via the play-offs. The Green Devils have had a change of fortune since Jimmy Ball replaced Mark Cooper and a good end to the season saw the Rovers finish 6th in League Two and set up this intriguing tie against the Welsh outfit.
Return of fans
Of course the biggest news regarding the fixture is the return of fans to both legs. The game at Rodney Parade will be used as a pilot event for gatherings in Wales. The return leg at the Innocent New Lawn will see around 1500 Forest Green fans giving their side the extra boost to try and get to the play-off final at Wembley. FGR season ticket holders can purchase tickets from Thursday afternoon and any available tickets will go on general sale in due course. FGR were able to have fans as part of a pilot event at the start of the season, but being able to have fans available for the play-offs could potentially be a massive boost.
Collins brothers
As if play-off semi finals aren’t big enough games for players, brothers Lewis Collins and Aaron Collins will have the extra motivation of facing off against each other. Aaron was the hero for Forest Green against Oldham scoring twice and getting an assist to ensure Rovers qualified for the play-offs. Younger brother Lewis has been playing up top for Newport although has only managed one league goal this season. Both brothers will be jumping at the bit to contribute for their sides and getting the bragging rights in the Collins’ household. In another strange coincidence, both sides also feature a player named Jack Evans.
Ex-players on both sides
Liam Shephard was released by Forest Green last year and has had a brilliant first year at Newport, playing a key part in the Exiles success starting 42 League games and scoring twice. Forest Green’s top scorer Jamille Matt used to play for Newport, however he is still recovering from a broken hand and won’t feature in the semi-final. Shawn McCoulsky and Aaron Collins also used to play for the Welsh outfit with Collins actually coming from Newport.
Wayne Hatswell
Newport assistant coach Wayne Hatswell was once a player for Forest Green. The 46 year old made 60 appearances in 2 years for the Rovers and will face his old side as Michael Flynn’s assistant next week. Hatswell is perhaps most famous for one of the most comical own goals ever, smashing into his own top corner in an FA Cup game against Morecambe.
Feel like Darren Bent’s highly avoidable FA Cup own goal didn’t quite have the same beauty as Wayne Hatswell’s avoidable FA Cup own goal pic.twitter.com/stWxzrEYDA
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) January 27, 2017
Rovers with the edge in recent meetings
The two sides will face each other for the third time on Tuesday and it is the Gloucestershire side that have enjoyed more success in the two previous meetings. Jamille Matt scored an equaliser for the Rovers at the New Lawn in December in a 1-1 draw. On a difficult surface at Rodney Parade in February, Josh Davison and Matt strikes gave Forest Green a 2-0 away win. The Rovers will be hoping for similar results next week as they attempt to get to the play-off final at Wembley.
