Jubilant Forest Green boss Rob Edwards insists Jack Aitchison and Ebou Adams can make the perfect midfield bedfellows.
With Ebou Adams suspension-free, many expected Edwards to shuffle his pack, but Aitchison got the nod and his virtuoso display was pivotal in Forest Green’s 4-0 victory at lacklustre Stevenage – underpinning Rovers’ position at the top of the league two tree – four points clear.
Edwards was fulsome in his praise for his table-toppers and lauded the impact of Aitchison.
“Jack was excellent,” Edwards said. “It’s not Jack or Ebou, they can both can play together.
“Full credit to the team, I thought they were outstanding. I was frustrated it was only 1-0 at half-time, but really pleased we got some more goals in the second-half and put the game to bed. We always want more and are striving for more.”
Rovers led from the get-go – buccaneering wing-back Kane Wilson drilling home from a Nicky Cadden assist inside the opening 120 seconds.
And it was Cadden who conjured Rovers’ second on 50 minutes to find Matty Stevens who nodded in for his sixth goal of the season before Jamille Matt glanced in from another Cadden ball eight minutes later. The rout was completed as Matt fed sub Jake Young who finished with aplomb.
Pic: Pro Sports Images
STAT ATTACK
Stevenage: Anang; Marshall, Cuthbert (Prosser 23), Coker; Wildin, Taylor, Reeves, Daly (Barry 79); List (Reid 67), Andrade; Norris.
Subs not used: O’Reilly, Townsend-West, Osborne, Smith.
MATCH RATINGS OUT OF 10
Forest Green Rovers: McGee 6; Sweeney 8, Moore-Taylor 8, Bernard 7; Wilson 8, Stevenson 7, Hendry 7 (Diallo 80, 6), Cadden 8; Aitchison 9 (Adams 61, 6); Stevens 7 (Young 72, 7), Matt 7.
Subs not used: Thomas, Allen, Evans, March.
Referee: Sam Allison.
Stroud Times’ star performer: Jack Aitchison. On this evidence, Ebou Adams will have to bide his time to return to the starting eleven.
