Ricardo Rees marked his Forest Green Rovers debut in spectacular fashion, scoring twice to overturn FC Halifax Town and secure a 2-1 win at The New Lawn on Saturday afternoon.
Halifax took an unexpected lead just before halftime, capitalizing on their first real attack of the game. Will Hugill finished calmly from close range after Jay Turner-Cooke’s incisive run and pullback from the left flank.
Rees, who joined Forest Green from Merthyr Town just days earlier, opened his account in the 70th minute. He expertly pounced on a loose ball from Jili Buyabu’s attempted shot, slotting home past the goalkeeper from close range. The Welsh forward then secured the victory eight minutes later, converting a low, powerful finish after Tom Knowles delivered a pinpoint cross from the left.
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Rees was a constant threat throughout the match, twice hitting the post. Early on, his header off Neil Kengni’s cross rattled the left post, and later his shot, aiming for a hat-trick, was superbly tipped onto the post by Halifax keeper Sam Johnson.
Playing in near-freezing temperatures, the pitch proved challenging, with a bumpy surface unlike the usual well-maintained turf at The New Lawn. Despite this, Forest Green dominated possession for most of the first half, struggling mainly to break down Halifax’s organized and resolute defense as much of the game unfolded around the penalty area.
Halifax almost snatched a late equalizer when Shaun Hobson turned home a corner in the dying minutes, but the linesman’s offside flag ruled out the goal, preserving Forest Green’s narrow advantage.
Forest Green Rovers line-up: Isted; Knowles, Inniss (Moore 76), Kanu, Kengni (Robson 88); Bunker (Buyabu 64), Mendy, Whitwell; McAllister, Babalola, Rees (Mitchell 88). Subs not used: Pagel, Haughton, Clarke.
Halifax Town line-up: Johnson; Warburton, Smith, Adetoro (Bray 88), Hobson, Capello (Kawa 74); Hugill (Hoty 88), Johnson; Turner-Cooke, Hmami (Latty-Fairweather 38); Harris. Subs not used: Ford, Mills, Tarima.
Referee: Ross Martin
Attendance: 2,436 (122 away fans)