Forest Green Rovers will be looking to edge further clear in the League Two automatic promotion places as they take on an in-form Harrogate Town at The Innocent New Lawn on Saturday.
A stoppage time equaliser from Morecambe’s Carlos Mendes Gomes in Rovers’ last game this past Tuesday night prevented them from going top of League Two for the first time since November 2019.
Forest Green manager Mark Cooper admitted he was impressed with his players despite the result and that it’s important now to look forward.
“I thought the boys battled really hard and second half we were a lot better – it’s just about making good decisions under pressure when it’s that late in the game and you’ve got the game won.
Cooper added: “You have to think correctly to try and maintain your discipline and get the game over the line, but we didn’t manage to do that.
“We could’ve won the game but we could’ve lost the game, so we take the point and move on.”
💬 “We need to play with as much energy as we can."
— Forest Green Rovers (@FGRFC_Official) March 11, 2021
Read what the gaffer had to say ahead of this weekend's meeting with @HarrogateTown 👇#WeAreFGR 💚
With the games coming thick and fast, Cooper’s side are now fully focused on Harrogate Town, who have made a superb resurgence in their last few matches.
“We’re very aware of Harrogate and how front-foot they are and they’ll come after us on Saturday.
“They’ve always played with plenty of desire and energy and that hasn’t changed so once you have that platform and you add some quality on top of that it gives them an opportunity to win games on a regular basis,” said Cooper.
Rovers definitely have some injury concerns heading into the game this weekend with at least four first team players absent including Ebou Adams and Nicky Cadden.
However, Cooper has played down that statistic explaining that it’s likely all his players are carrying some of sort niggle heading into the game against the Sulphurites this weekend.
Cooper said: “I think once you get past 21, you don’t play any game without some kind of injury. You have to just get on with it, man up and get yourself on the pitch.”
Although FGR will be without some key players, their star striker Jamille Matt is fighting fit for the game this weekend and Cooper has revealed why he thinks he scores so many goals.
This man's having a campaign to remember! #EFL | @FGRFC_Official pic.twitter.com/9v8cPFEZta
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) March 9, 2021
“I think he plays in a team that create a lot of good chances for him in terms of balls in and around the six-yard box.
The Forest Green manager added: “If you look at most of his goals, they’ve been in and around the six-yard box – he has to get himself in there which he’s done pretty well pretty regularly.”
A win for Rovers could potentially place them top of League Two, as long as other result go their way, however a victory could take them as many as four points clear of the chasing pack in the play-offs.
