Forest Green Rovers manager Robbie Savage openly acknowledged the fans’ frustration following a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Wealdstone at The New Lawn in the FA Trophy. The home side exited the competition as Enzio Boldewijn, Olufela Olomola, and Sean Adarkwa each scored, securing a convincing win for the visitors.
Savage did not shy away from criticism: “That performance was not acceptable. For the first time in my tenure here, that was rubbish,” he said. “We didn’t look like scoring and were comfortably outplayed. Our standards have slipped drastically from the most dynamic and relentless team we were six weeks ago.”
Wealdstone took the lead midway through the first half with a powerful header by captain Boldewijn from a corner kick. Forest Green struggled to mount any real threat, with a potential equalizer by Jili Buyabu ruled offside early in the second half. Shortly after a tactical switch to a 3-5-2 formation, Olomola extended the lead, capitalizing on space created down the channels.
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Savage lamented the lack of cohesion and communication within his squad: “We looked like a team thrown together with no patterns, no communication — just a terrible day. The fans have every right to be angry, and I apologize on behalf of the team.”
The visitors sealed their victory deep into stoppage time, with substitute Adarkwa scoring on a swift counterattack. Savage admitted being shocked by the performance’s quality and intensity. “This isn’t the Forest Green team anyone has seen this season. The body language of some players suggested they didn’t want to be out there.”
On a brighter note amid the disappointment, Gabe Kircough made his senior debut after signing recently, impressing in the second half despite conceding a goal against.
A poignant moment took place during the 77th minute when the stadium observed a minute’s applause in memory of Neil Newport, a former player and beloved fan who recently passed away. Savage reflected emotionally: “Neil was an amazing person, and going into the fan box today for him was heartbreaking. He loved this club, and while we didn’t give him a performance to be proud of, I know he would have been cheering us on.”
Savage extended his condolences to Newport’s family, praising the strong community spirit surrounding Forest Green Rovers.
Forest Green Rovers lineup: Isted; Mingi (Mitchell 57), Kanu (Pemberton 64), Kircough, Morrison (Clarke 46), Knowles (Bunker 46), Mendy, Nwoko, Buyabu (Kengni 76); McAllister, Babalola. Subs not used: Pagel, Haughton.
Wealdstone lineup: Baptiste; Hutchinson (Diarra 90+2), Boldewijn, Woodman, McAvoy, Georgiou; Kadji, Mussa (Spencer 74), Tshikuna (Hassan 74); Olomola (Adu-Poku 86), Obiero (Adarkwa 86). Subs not used: Johnson, Agyemang.
Referee: James Durkin.
Attendance: 1,407 (180 away).