Forest Green Rovers achieved two successive wins for the first time this season as they beat rivals Cheltenham Town for the first ever Gloucestershire Derby in a league as high as League One.
Ian Burchnall’s side were the dominant force in the first half at the Bolt New Lawn, before finally finding their breakthrough in the 75th minute, where Harry Boyes’ free-kick met the head of Brentford loanee Myles Peart-Harris, who was able to secure a historic derby day win.
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This result couldn’t have come at a better time for Burchnall and his squad, who now have two wins in their last two games, after previously going seven games without a win, but this run of form is a relief for Burchnall, who couldn’t help but celebrate with the fans at full-time.
“It hasn’t been an easy period with the adjustment to League One and we’ve had some disappointing results” Burchnall commented.
“I felt the frustration sometimes and understood it, but the fans were brilliant, they pushed us all the way and kept us going so I was really happy to be able to go over there with a win.”
The Gloucestershire Derby was never going to be a straightforward game, with both sides desperate to walk away with the bragging rights on the biggest derby day to date, and with Cheltenham also on a good run and sitting in 14th prior to the game, Burchnall new the challenges that his squad were going to face.
“The two forwards they have, especially Alfie May, he’s so clever and he’s not always involved in the game and he’s always looking to get in behind so any clearance that we’re unfocused on means they can create something.”
Despite May’s five goals and two assists in the league this season, Burchnall’s side were able to hold onto the 1-0 lead and earn all three points and will travel to seventh place Derby County on Saturday.
