Forest Green player ratings from Stroud Times as Ash Loveridge hands out the scores from the New Lawn after Rovers beat Aldershot Town 2-1.
Harry Isted 7: Back to his consistent best. A calm presence in the box where he commanded his area very well throughout and amid some pressure in the second half.
Ashqar Ahmed 7: The Reading loanee covered lots of ground, competing well and making good use of the ball. Decent shift, full of heart and determination.
Jay Mingi 8: Another assured display from the Stockport County loanee, who appears to have found his feet at the heart of the Rovers’ defence.
Abraham Kanu 7: Commanding in the air and solid on the floor. The on-loan Reading defender is starting to foster a solid partnership with Mingi at the back.
Jili Buyabu 7: Fresh from delivering his own baby on Thursday. The Sheffield United loan star played a faultless hour for Robbie Savage’s side before rushing off home to see his new-born.
Laurent Mendy 7: Back to his best after falling below his own high standards. His midfield partnership with Tate Campbell could be pivotal during the play-offs.
Tate Campbell 8: Scored the opener – his first goal for Rovers since joining the club from Buxton last month. His best performance to date in a Forest Green shirt.
Kyle McAllister 7: Another commanding performance from Rovers captain fantastic. Unfortunate to have his goal disallowed for a contentious offside flag.
Chibby Nwoko 7: The Fulham loanee just keeps raising the bar. Flourishing in his attacking midfield role and capped a fine display by conjuring Tom Knowles’ 28th minute opener.
Tom Knowles 7: Brimming full of confidence and made it three goals in as many games. His energy is key to Rovers’ resurgence.
D’Mani Mellor 8: What an impact on his debut after signing for Rovers 24 hours earlier from Macclesfield. The former Manchester United youngster was a constant thorn in Aldershot’s side and on this evidence, Savage has bagged another gem.
Subs
Harvey Bunker 6: Solid at the back when replacing Mingi with 31 minutes to go.
Neil Kengni 6: Dependable during Aldershot’s late pressure.
Jayden Clarke 7: Helped see the game out for Rovers and always looking to get on the ball.
Nick Haughton 7: Late cameo with some neat footwork.
Forest Green 2 (Campbell 15, Knowles 28) Aldershot 1 (Warren 66)
Forest Green: ( 4-2-3-1) Isted 7; Ahmed 7 (Pemberton 72, 7), Mingi 8 (Bunker 59, 6), Kanu 7, Buyabu 7 (Kengni 59, 6); Mendy 7, Campbell 8; McAllister 7; Nwoko 7 (Haughton 80, 7), Knowles 7 (Clarke 72, 7); Mellor 8
Subs not used: Pagel, Doidge.
Aldershot Town: ( 4-2-3-1) : Boyce-Clarke 7; Hill 6, Nightingale 7, Grogan 6, Sheckleford 6 (Penney 46,); Hargreaves 7, Meerholz 6 (Frost 81); Warren 7, Henry 6 (Peart 46, 8 ) , Barrett 6 (Thomas 46, 7); Stewart 6 (Nelson 76, 7).
Subs not used: Nash, Anderson.
Half time: Forest Green 2 Aldershot Town 0
Referee: Declan Brown
Star man: ( Tate Campbell – Forest Green, midfielder)
Attendance: 2,281
Rating: 4 /5
Match statistics
FGR/ ALDERSHOT TOWN
Shots on target: 4 / 7
Shots off target: 6 / 2
Corners: 5 / 5
Offside: 3 / 4
Fouls: 12 / 11
Yellow cards: 3 / 4
Red cards: 0/0
