Forest Green Rovers manager Robbie Savage did not shy away from admitting the unacceptable nature of his team’s display after their 3-0 FA Trophy defeat to Wealdstone at The New Lawn. The loss saw Wealdstone secure a comfortable victory, with goals from Enzio Boldewijn, Olufela Olomola, and Sean Adarkwa, ending Forest Green’s cup run and leaving fans frustrated.
Savage acknowledged the boos resonating around the stadium, saying, “The fans have every right to have a go at us.” He described the performance as the worst since his appointment, highlighting the lack of threat up front and the team’s inability to replicate the dynamism that had been evident just weeks earlier. “We didn’t look like scoring, they were the better side. It could have been five or six,” he lamented.
The match saw Wealdstone captain Boldewijn put the visitors ahead with a powerful header, setting the tone for the game. Despite a disallowed effort from Jili Buyabu that could have changed momentum, Forest Green struggled to find any rhythm or attacking threat. After switching to a 3-5-2 formation, the team was caught out again as Olomola doubled Wealdstone’s lead, capitalizing on space created down the wings.
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Savage reflected on the team’s disjointed display: “Today we looked like a team that had been thrown together from nowhere, no patterns, no communication, nothing.” He expressed disappointment but also gratitude to the South Stand supporters, promising the team would work to repay their loyalty.
The final blow came in stoppage time when Adarkwa sealed Wealdstone’s progression with a counterattack goal while Forest Green were pushing forward desperately to find a way back into the game.
The manager was visibly shocked by the magnitude of the defeat and the apparent drop in performance levels. “Fans are saying we need experience, but we didn’t need that five or six weeks ago,” Savage said. He also noted concerning body language from some players, asserting that true character shows in tough moments.
On a positive note, new signing Gabe Kircough made his senior debut for Forest Green and showed promise in the second half despite the disappointing outcome.
Amidst the gloom, the club and supporters came together for a poignant tribute to Neil Newport, a beloved former player and Forest Green fan who recently passed away. A minute’s applause was observed during the 77th minute, deeply moving those present. Savage shared his personal feelings about Neil’s passing, highlighting the emotional weight the tribute carried and offering condolences to his family.
Despite the heavy defeat, the memory of Neil Newport stood out as a heartfelt moment where football united the club and its community beyond the pitch.