Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage hailed his team’s exceptional performance following their 2-0 triumph away at Yeovil Town on Saturday evening.
The victory was sealed by a first-half strike from Temi Babalola and an own goal from former Forest Green goalkeeper Jed Ward, giving Rovers a double success over Yeovil this season after their earlier home win by the same scoreline.
Savage praised his squad’s relentless spirit: “I haven’t got enough accolades for this group. Their desire, determination, spirit, and togetherness have transformed the club’s culture,” he stated.
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Acknowledging Yeovil’s challenge under Billy Rowley, Savage added, “This is a tough place to come. Billy has done a great job keeping them unbeaten before this match. For us to play and defend the way we did, with key moments like Tre’s block, Harry’s crucial save, and Kanu’s outstanding performance, it was a joy to watch.”
He described the current atmosphere at Forest Green as akin to “Christmas every day,” highlighting the positive environment created by the facilities and team unity—a sentiment he attributed to advice from Martin O’Neill.
The match’s opening goal arrived in the 16th minute. Jayden Clarke threaded a precise pass to Jili Buyabu on the left wing, whose cross was deflected into the path of Temi Babalola, who clinically finished from the penalty area. Savage praised Babalola’s work ethic and teamwork in front of goal.
Forest Green doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Buyabu delivered a powerful low cross. Finn Cousin-Dawson attempted to clear it but inadvertently deflected the ball off Jed Ward into Yeovil’s net. Despite Jayden Clarke’s celebration, Savage confirmed it was officially an own goal.
Yeovil’s Harvey Bunker was sent off in the 67th minute after receiving his second yellow card for a foul. Savage acknowledged Bunker’s strong contribution but noted the dismissal would be a setback with Bunker set to miss the next game.
Goalkeeper Harry Isted made a pivotal late save to deny former Rovers player Tahvon Campbell, ensuring Forest Green’s first league clean sheet since October. Savage lauded the clean sheet as a critical achievement against a club with recent Championship experience.
Tactically, Forest Green exploited wide areas against Yeovil’s 5-2-2-1 formation, with wing-backs pushing forward and overlapping runs creating scoring opportunities. Savage emphasized playing their own dynamic game rather than focusing heavily on their opposition’s tactics.
Despite moments when positional rotations required better timing, the fluidity and adaptability of the side impressed Savage. He singled out Jayden Clarke and Kyle Knowles for their roles in maintaining attacking width and creating space.
Yeovil nearly found an equalizer shortly before halftime, but an offside call on Harvey Greenslade ruled out their goal.
Forest Green made just one change from their previous league fixture, with Jayden Clarke starting in place of the ill Isaac Moore.
Final line-ups:
Yeovil Town: Ward; Efete (Plant 73), Ferguson, Cousin-Dawson, Wannell, Daly; Tobin (Joliffe 73), McGavin (Sims 73); Greenslade (Campbell 73), McCormick; Jarvis. Subs not used: Gould, Ellison, Oluwabori.
Forest Green Rovers: Isted; Knowles, Mendy, Kanu, Buyabu (Dausch 85); Bunker; McAllister, Whitwell, Haughton (Robson 67), Clarke (Pemberton 74); Babalola (Doidge 85). Subs not used: McNicholas, Bamba, Mitchell.
Referee: Alan Dale.
Attendance: 3,179 (256 away supporters).