Robbie Savage’s Forest Green Rovers claimed the pre-season bragging rights in South Wales with a 2-1 victory over Merthyr Town at a sun-drenched Penydarren Park.
First-half goals from new signing Kyle Ajayi and promising teenager Thomas Conteh secured the win for Rovers, with Merthyr’s only reply coming from a trialist.
Rovers made a rapid start and took the lead after just five minutes. Jayden Clarke whipped a dangerous cross into the box, where new signing Ajayi, who joined from Hemel Hempstead Town this summer, was on hand to apply the finishing touch.
Savage’s side nearly doubled their advantage four minutes later when striker Kairo Mitchell cleverly lifted the ball over Merthyr goalkeeper Jamie Cogman, only to see his effort come back off the crossbar.
The National League North side netted parity on 23 minutes as a trialist fired beyond Luke McNicholas after Sam Pearson’s touch capped a flowing move. However, Forest Green restored their lead almost immediately, with academy graduate Conteh finding the net just two minutes later following the industry of Stoke City loanee Sydney Agina and Mitchell’s assist.
On the cusp of the break, Cogman superbly denied Rovers’ Neil Kengni from making it three.
Both sides made a raft of changes at the break and Rovers started with gusto – Mitchell hitting the post for the second time in the match.
Match gallery from Peter Barnes
Elis Watts’ speculative strike from the halfway line almost caught out the backpedaling Fiachra Pagel in the Rovers’ goal as the home side strived for an equaliser. Charlie Caswell spurned a great opportunity for the Welsh outfit with four minutes to go and Jack Evans fluffed his lines at the death as Rovers held out.
Merthyr Town: Cogman, Ryan-Phillips (12’ Margetson), Foulston (73’ Bourne), Wigley (73’ Watts), Evans (73’ Smerdon), Harris, Pearson (73’ Caswell), Evans, Trialist 2 (64’ Livermore), Lucas (64’ Simpson), Spiers (73’ Trialist 1)
Forest Green Rovers: McNicholas (46’ Pagel), Agina (46’ Pemberton), Ajayi (46’ Kircough), Kengni (46’ Robson), Campbell (59’ Bifulco), Clarke (46’ Walsh), Etaluku (46’ Bonnick), Haughton (59’ Williams), Conteh, Mitchell (69’ Osawe), Obi (59’ Merrett)
Star Man: Thomas Conteh – Forest Green
Entertainment: 3 /5
Rovers welcome Steve Evans’ Bristol Rovers on Tuesday, 7PM.
