MARK COOPER’S side showcased their new kit made of coffee beans with a comprehensive roasting of Colchester United.
Forest Green were piping hot from start to finish as a double shot from Jamille Matt and the first-ever goal for Udoka Godwin-Malife saw Cooper’s side bounce back from a 3-0 home defeat against lowly Scunthorpe United on Tuesday.
The coffee-based fabric has been a top performer in initial tests and has been found to be lighter, breathable, and more durable than the club’s current kit — which is also made of eco-friendly bamboo and it certainly perked Rovers up, much to the delight of Cooper, who beamed after a 3-0 win anchored his side in second: “I’d give them at least 15, 16 out of 10.
“I picked a team that had a lot of energy, a lot of pace in it, not a lot of height at the back so we had to be aggressive in our defending and I think it was important as a staff we didn’t panic after the Southend game on Wednesday – it would have been the easiest thing in the world to panic and we didn’t, we trusted the players, I certainly trust the players.
“We knew we’d get a response and they were magnificent, all of them. Fair play to them, they’ve answered a few questions today – not from me but I’m sure for a lot of people.”
Forest Green’s Ebou Adams was shown a red card for the second time in a month, which will see him miss the next four matches, and Cooper admitted it was a needless mistake made by the midfielder.
“With his experience and there’s 20 seconds until half-time and we’re two-nil up, you don’t have to make the tackle,” he added. “I can see why the referee has panicked and sent him off but it’s silly from Ebou and he is now ruled out for four games because that’s his second sending off.”
Nicky Cadden was one of two players brought off at half-time, Cooper was able to explain his decision on replacing the flying Scotsman.
“Cadden tweaked his hamstring, I don’t think it’s a bad one and he may miss one or two games,” he insisted.
“I think certainly the Stokes and the Cadden injuries are certainly results of the pitch at Newport. Having spoken to the Newport staff they said ‘be careful in your next few games because you’ll pick up some injuries’ – we have.”
