Forest Green boss Robbie Savage cut a figure of exuberance as his side made a statement of intent with an impressive victory over in-form Boreham Wood.
Rovers returned to winning ways in the National League against opponents who began the day in second place and had tasted defeat only once this season.
Jili Buyabu gave Savage’s side the lead in the first half, before Matt Rush levelled after the break. The victory was sealed by Harvey Bunker, who coolly converted a penalty with 15 minutes remaining.
Savage was quick to praise opposition manager Luke Garrard after the match, commending the Boreham Wood boss for both his team’s performances and his sportsmanship.
“Luke (Garrard) is a gentleman — finally a manager who has given us some credit,” said Savage.
“His team has been magnificent. To get promoted, to be up there, and to play the way they do — I wanted to give him and his staff credit for how they’ve conducted themselves. For the first time, an opposition manager has actually told people, both pre-match and post-match, how good we are. His team is flying, and they’ll be a tough test for anybody. For us to beat such a good side, second in the table, and to claim our first win over a top-seven team — this is a big marker for us that we can beat these sides.”
Savage also addressed recent criticism from pundits following the alleged abuse he received at Carlisle United last week — an incident now under FA investigation. “I’ve had a tough week personally,” he said. “When it crosses the line and people are only told half the story, it’s easy for pundits to go on and criticise — saying, ‘He gives it, he’s got to take it.’ But until they know the full facts, they shouldn’t comment. Those pundits can’t affect my life. I’m loving life as a football manager.
“I’ve achieved more in my footballing career — and now as a manager — than 99 percent of football in the game. I played in the Premier League for a number of years, and now I’m managing, with one promotion under my belt at a huge non-league club in Macclesfield. People can’t affect me, I’m a good person.”
A high-octane opening saw Rovers’ new signing Temi Babalola cause early consternation for Boreham Wood — the former Worthing striker proving a muscular menace up front.
A stray pass from West Ham loanee Finlay Herrick gifted Tom Knowles an early sight of goal from distance, but the Boreham Wood keeper redeemed himself with a comfortable gather. Rovers continued to pepper the shell-shocked visitors’ goal, Herrick palming away Knowles’ 25-yard stinger after Ryan Inniss had teed him up.
The pressure finally told on 34 minutes when Buyabu struck from the edge of the box, his skidding effort beating Herrick all ends up. The Sheffield United loanee sprinted across the pitch to celebrate in the welcoming arms of ecstatic boss Savage.
On the cusp of half-time, Barnet loanee Zak Brunt squandered Boreham Wood’s only chance of the half — firing straight at the previously under employed Luke McNicholas when it seemed easier to score — a rare moment of threat in a period dominated by Rovers.
Boreham Wood came out swinging after the break and drew level on 65 minutes. McNicholas gifted the visitors an early Christmas present when his headed clearance fell to substitute Luke Norris, who laid the ball off to Rush, and he calmly picked his spot from the edge of the box. Rovers responded swiftly.
Neil Kengni’s cross was handled by Boreham Wood substitute Cameron Coxe, allowing Bunker to send Herrick the wrong way from the penalty spot on 75 minutes to wrap things up with his third goal in as many games.
GAFFER TAPES
Listen to Robbie Savage’s full post-match press conference
GAFFER TAPES
Listen to Luke Garrard’s full post-match press conference
Boreham Wood boss Garrard was equally generous in his praise for Savage’s side. “We were beaten by the better team,” admitted Garrard.
“They were more aggressive, more dominant in the way they played. They stepped on us early and didn’t allow us to get going. They mirror him, which I like — there’s a lot of energy, there’s a lot of purpose to their play. I give him full credit. What they’ve done today, and how they’ve gone about it, was top drawer.”
Forest Green Rovers 2
(Buyabu 34, Bunker 75)
Boreham Wood 1
(Rush 65)
Team line-ups
Forest Green: ( 4-2-3-1) McNicholas 6; Pemberton 7, Inniss 7 , Moore-Taylor 8, Buyabu 8 (Kanu 81); Bunker 7 Moore 9; Knowles 8 (Kengni 64, 7) , Whitwell 8, Clarke 7 (Bamba 64, 7); Babola 7 (Doidge 69, 6)
Subs not used: Pagel, Haughton, Balagizi
Boreham Wood: (4-2-3-1) Herrick 6; King 6 (Coxe 59, 6), Ilesanmi 7, Bush 7, Reynolds 7; O’Connell 7, White 6; Sousa 7 (Richardson 81 ), Brunt 6 (Norris 59,), Abdulmalik 8; Rush 6.
Subs not used: Dixon, Benton, Newton, Clayden
Half time: Forest Green 1 Boreham Wood 0
Referee: Zac Kennard-Kettle
Star man: (Issac Moore Forest Green, midfielder)
Attendance: 1,825
Rating: 4/5
Match statistics
Shots on target 4: / 2
Shots off target: 8 / 1
Corners: 8 / 7
Offside: 1 / 1
Fouls: 13 / 9
Yellow cards: 0 / 1
Red cards: 0/0
