Robbie Savage praised the strength of his Forest Green Rovers squad after his substitutes inspired a 2-1 comeback victory at Worthing to maintain the club’s unbeaten start to the National League season.
Rovers found themselves behind after just two minutes when former Forest Green midfielder Teddy Jenks reacted quickest after Ethan Ross had saved an initial effort, tapping home from close range.
But Savage’s second-half changes changed the game, with Josh Osude and Ricardo Rees coming off the bench and scoring to turn the match around.
Savage said: “We had the most goal contributions from substitutions last season and the changes at 55 minutes last week against Halifax won us the game, the changes at half-time today won us the game.”
“I said to the boys in the dressing room, ‘everybody contributes, whether you play for 30, 45, 60 or 90 minutes, everybody is in this together’.”
“The subs scored the goals, it was an outstanding performance.”
Osude levelled in the 58th minute after chasing down a loose back pass towards Worthing goalkeeper Harrison Foulkes.
The substitute intercepted the ball brilliantly before keeping his composure to tap into an empty net.
Five minutes from time, Osude was involved again, cutting in from the left before finding fellow substitute Rees, who finished to complete the comeback.
Savage said the turnaround demonstrated the different ways his side can win matches as they came from behind for the second successive match to make it back-to-back wins.
“Football doesn’t work like that, Sean (Etaluku) doesn’t score that goal in the first-half last week I don’t think. You don’t get the space and then the opposition get tired, there are different ways to win games of football.”
The Forest Green boss admitted there was still work to do defensively despite the victory.
“We have got to try and keep clean sheets, but it was an unbelievable save from Ethan (Ross) and he has missed 18 months of football, he had a big smile on his face.”
Ross produced a number of important saves, including a superb stop from Joe Cook’s header, while Worthing also saw an effort cleared off the line.
Savage explained his decision to select Ross ahead of Luke McNicholas.
“It was a tough call to leave Luke out, I have got expertise around me from Jonathan Gould and it was more or less his decision, I had the final say, but I am going to take his expertise.”
Tate Campbell has also impressed since being moved into central defence following Emeka Obi’s season-ending injury.
Savage revealed Campbell had backed himself to fill the position.
“He was brilliant, he pulled me for a chat in the week and he said ‘gaffer, I think I can do it!’ and he certainly can.”
But Savage admitted Rovers still need defensive reinforcements.
“We will look, we need four centre-backs. Especially, when we go to a back-three at the end like we did. Gabe (Kircough) was unfortunate not to get into the squad.”
Savage was full of praise for Worthing and manager Adam Hinshelwood after the newly-promoted side impressed on their first National League home appearance.
“Adam has done an unbelievable job, what a crowd! It was a big occasion with it being their first game in the National League.”
“They will be fine, they are a very good side and play good football. At half-time they probably deserved the lead.”
The victory was made even more special for Savage by the presence of Forest Green owner Dale Vince.
“Every win is massive for this football club. Dale was here today, he has got his love back for the football club and that is what I wanted to do.”
Savage added: “It means a lot, the remit was to come and entertain.”
And he paid tribute to the supporters who continued backing the team despite falling behind early.
“It is hard to enjoy it being a manager because you have got so much responsibility for our amazing travelling fans, brilliant support once again.
“Even at 1-0 down, they were getting behind the side as they know that our changes can win games and they know this team never gives in.”
Savage also spoke about his relationship with owner Dale Vince and the responsibility he feels in his role at the club.
“I have got an unbelievable relationship with Dale, he has given me the biggest opportunity I have had in a long time and I don’t want to let people down.”
The victory leaves Forest Green sixth in the National League after two games.
Rovers sit sixth in the National League after two games ahead of hosting familiar play-off rival, Boreham Wood, at the New Lawn next Saturday (12:30pm kick-off).
Worthing 1–2 Forest Green Rovers
Worthing: Foulkes; Colbran, Cook, Moore, Adjetey-Brew; Wadham (Packham 77), Aguiar (Makowski 90), De-Graft, Jenks (Moulton 77), Hutchinson; Carter (Godziemski 77).
Subs not used: Seymour, Ransom, Spicer.
Forest Green Rovers: Ross 7; Agina 6 (Ajayi 89), Campbell 7, Mabete 6, Etaluku 7; Ewing 5 (Kelly 56, 6), Clarke 6; Patrick 5 (Rees 46, 7), McAllister 6, Berry 5 (Kengni 46, 7); Mellor 5 (Osude 56, 8).
Subs not used: McNicholas, Haughton.
Referee: James Durkin
Attendance: 3,014
Star Man: Joshua Osude
