Forest Green Rovers manager Robbie Savage has voiced concerns that the season could prove to be a “long, hard” one if his team continues to concede goals as they did in Friday night’s 2-0 National League defeat at AFC Fylde.
The match was decided by a swift double from Fylde’s on-loan striker Harvey Broad, who scored twice within four minutes in the second half to maintain the Coasters’ strong start to the campaign and inflict Forest Green’s second league defeat in a week - both without scoring.
Broad, 20, who joined Fylde on a season-long loan from Coventry City as cover following the departure of £600,000 striker Danny Ormerod, opened the scoring on 65 minutes before adding a second goal three minutes later.
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The first half was tightly contested with few opportunities for either side. Forest Green’s Nick Haughton missed a promising chance early on when he blazed over from a good position, and James Berry forced a solid save from Fylde keeper Zac Jones after Ricardo Rees sliced a close-range effort wide. Meanwhile, Forest Green goalkeeper Ethan Ross was kept busy, making a full-stretch save to deny an effort from Ethan Mitchell.
Savage commented: “In the first half, we looked compact and didn’t want to concede early, which we didn’t. We had chances, too. They had one shot which was parried and missed the rebound, but we got into good areas four or five times. Crosses into the box found no one there to tap it in, hitting the first man, wrong choices, people not making runs - the game plan was working. We had three or four chances, and they had just one.”
He added, “Then in the second half, it was one ball over the top, a ball across, defenders not doing their jobs resulting in a tap-in. The second goal was similar. It’s so disappointing.”
With four games played, Forest Green have two wins and two defeats. Savage reflected on the unexpected nature of the latest loss, saying, “We were thinking ‘let’s go and win the game’ at half-time, but then people just didn’t do their jobs.”
Looking ahead, he said, “Now we have got a big game against Altrincham on Monday.”
The first Fylde goal came after a flowing move culminated in Greg Olley crossing from the right. Cedric Main couldn’t reach the ball, but Broad’s low drive struck the bottom corner to give Fylde the lead. Four minutes later, Fylde attacked down the right again, with Aaron Drewe providing a perfect cross for Broad to volley home.
Forest Green have now conceded five goals without reply over the past week, a troubling statistic for Savage. He said, “I know we are getting first loans in and giving people opportunities, but we have to be better defensively and take accountability. I’ll look at myself, don’t worry about that, but conceding two goals like that can’t happen.”
On the second goal, Savage said, “Yes, the delivery was great, but you cannot be left unmarked six yards out. People need to do their jobs. We are giving opportunities to players, but if they can’t perform, it’s going to be a long, hard season.”
He acknowledged the disappointment felt by fans after the game, especially given their lengthy six-hour journey, but also praised the majority for their support.
Savage lamented the lack of goals from his attacking options in recent matches, saying, “We haven’t scored again and we have so much attacking talent. We went from winning two games from behind with good attacking play to two games without scoring. In the first half we were solid and prevented them playing through or over us, but then things changed. If we don’t improve, it will be a long season.”
The match also saw the Forest Green debut of new signing Freddie Sass. However, Savage expressed concern as winger James Berry was forced off with a hamstring injury early in the second half and could be sidelined for six to eight weeks. “James was lively and impressive in the first half,” Savage said. “Freddie did fine but needs to improve, especially as we were caught out by a first-time cross allowing an unmarked player at the back post to score. Players have to learn quickly – this is senior football.”
AFC Fylde: Jones; Drewe, Lewis, Lancaster, Whelan; Merrie, Upton (Thomas 84); Mitchell, Broad, Main, Olley. Subs not used: Boyes, Meadowcroft, Mayor, Morris, Stritch, Jackson.
Forest Green: Ross; Agina, Sass (Osude 76), Campbell, Mabete; Clarke, Berry (Etaluku 49), McAllister, Patrick; Haughton (Kelly 64), Rees (Mellor 64). Subs not used: McNicholas, Ajayi, Ewing.