Altrincham 1 Forest Green 2
A homophobic slur directed towards Forest Green teenager Harry Whitwell failed to derail Robbie Savage’s National League table-toppers on a triumphant night in Manchester.
The match was briefly halted in the first half after officials were alerted to the abuse from the stands. Referee intervention followed protocol, with players taken to the touchline while the matter was addressed. Savage later confirmed that the West Brom loanee had been targeted.
“There was a homophobic comment directed at Harry Whitwell,” Savage said afterwards. “The referee handled it really well; he followed protocol. Harry came over, and we heard what was said about him.
“We’ve been into the referees’ dressing room with both their staff and ours to reiterate what was said, and it will be dealt with in the appropriate manner.”
Despite the ugly episode, Forest Green produced a commanding display. Nick Haughton curled in a sumptuous free-kick on 27 minutes before Ryan Inniss powered home a header from a Jayden Clarke corner late on to seal the win and maintain Rovers’ unbeaten start to the season.
Altrincham had briefly levelled through Kahrel Reddin, who drilled into the top corner following Oli Crankshaw’s pass, but their hopes collapsed after Tyler Golden’s second-half dismissal. He was initially booked for a foul before being shown a straight red for dissent, with a further home red card shown after the final whistle.
Savage hailed his side’s character and intensity: “We were magnificent, my team showed desire. Credit to Phil Parkinson and his side, they played some good football, but no one can live with us at the minute.”
Swipe through Peter Barnes’ match gallery
The Forest Green head coach also praised Haughton, who had been left out at the weekend but responded in style. “What a goal. He needed an arm round him, he came back and was magnificent. Man management is key. I told him he’d be the best player on the park tonight, and he was electric.”
Savage heaped praise on Forest Green’s away support: “We can be proud of them—an amazing effort all the way from Gloucestershire. I now urge them to get behind us at the weekend for a huge game on TV against York City.”
Altrincham: Hutchinson; Banks, Sassi, Baines, Golden; Marriott (Kosylo 86), Osborne (German 86); Reddin (Kirk 86), Ward (Reed 55), Crankshaw (Gale 69); Knowles.
Subs not used: Cooper, Fallon.
Forest Green Rovers: McNicholas; Pemberton (Kengni 75), Inniss, Moore-Taylor, Knowles; Mendy, Whitwell, Moore (Clarke 46); McAllister (Marquez 75), Haughton (Bunker 82); Mitchell (Balagizi 90+4).
Subs not used: Pagel, Walker.
Referee: Aaron Jackson.
Attendance: 1,529
FGR fans: 182
