Forest Green missed a plethora of chances as they were forced to share the spoils in an entertaining goalless encounter at Exeter City.
Rovers were certainly profligate, but head coach Rob Edwards will have been pleased with a first clean sheet of the season, with former Exeter City captain Jordan Moore-Taylor in imperious form at the back for Rovers.
Edwards made two changes to his side following their 2-0 loss to Port Vale last Saturday with Moore Taylor and fit again Nicky Cadden replacing Dom Bernard and Taylor Allen.
From the get-go, Forest Green should have been ahead inside the opening eight minutes as Matty Stevens played in Kane Wilson who watched his drilled shot saved by Cameron Dawson.
Edwards’ side should have nosed ahead when Nicky Cadden’s ball into the box was headed across goal by Dan Sweeney when it looked easier to score before a stretching Jamille Matt toed the ball wide.
Pics: Pro Sports Images.
Rovers looked an attacking threat as Matt glanced a header over the Exeter bar from a searching Cadden cross eight minutes before the break.
At the other end, Sam Nombe burst through but the recovering Ben Stevenson got a fantastic touch on the ball as Luke McGee came off his line with the Rovers’ team-mates colliding with each other as a thrilling half remained deadlocked.
The Grecians alomost broke the stalemate on the hour when Nombe broke through after the impressive Matt Jay’s flicked pass.
Matt missed a great opportunity when picking up a delightful Sweeney ball, but he fizzed his striker into the grateful Dawson.
Rovers almost pinched the points when Pierce Sweeney cleared a ball to Baily Cargill who volleyed wide with just Dawson to beat.
Harrogate Town leapfrog Forest Green at the top of the table on goal difference.
STAT ATTACK
Exeter City: (3-5-2) – Cameron Dawson, Pierce Sweeney, George Ray, Alex Hartridge, Josh Key, Kyle Taylor, Matt Jay, Tim Dieng (Nigel Atangana, 66), Jake Caprice, Sam Nombe, Padraig Amond (Owura Edwards, 75)
Subs not used: Harry Lee, Ben Seymour, Callum Rowe, Jordan Dyer, Jonathan Grounds.
Booking: Ray.
Forest Green Rovers: (3-5-2) – Luke McGee, Dan Sweeney, Baily Cargill, Jordan Moore-Taylor, Kane Wilson, Ben Stevenson, Regan Hendry, Jack Aitchison, Nicky Cadden, Jamille Matt (Jake Young, 83), Matty Stevens (Josh March, 75).
Subs not used: Lewis Thomas, Dom Bernard, Taylor Allen, Jack Evans, Sadou Diallo.
FGR star man: Ben Stevenson – an unsung hero who is Rovers’ proverbial water-carrier.
Attendance: 4008.
FGR fans on the road: 185 away.
Next up: Fully Charged New Lawn – Forest Green v Northampton Town, Saturday, September 11th, 3pm.
