Forest Green Rovers manager Robbie Savage expressed his frustration after his side’s 1-1 home draw against Solihull Moors, describing the result as two points dropped. Despite coming from behind, Rovers were unable to secure the win that Savage feels is essential for their title ambitions.
The visitors took the lead through Alex Whitmore, who capitalised on a loose ball following a clearance from a free kick and fired past Harry Isted. Forest Green responded in the second half with Nick Haughton’s precise left-footed strike leveling the score on 62 minutes, curling into the bottom left corner after some deft movement inside the penalty box.
Savage was candid in his assessment of his team’s performance, highlighting a lack of clinical finishing. “We’re not clinical enough, not ruthless enough, and if you want to win the league, you have to be that,” he said. “You have to be winning games like today if you want to win the league, you have to.”
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The manager lamented missed chances despite dominant play and an entertaining style that delighted the fans. “I’m getting frustrated now; we can’t keep creating this many chances,” he added. “We’re playing wonderful, attacking football, the crowd are loving it, entertainment value is fine—we’re joint top of the league—but inevitably it’s going to cost us.”
Savage also praised a tactical change at halftime, which saw Tre Pemberton replace Isaac Moore. This switch allowed Tom Knowles to move to left back, Jili Buyabu to push forward, and Haughton to operate in a preferred attacking midfield role alongside Harry Whitwell. “You don’t scream and shout at half-time, you give them solutions, and the solutions worked because Tre was outstanding when he came on,” said Savage.
Defensively, Solihull’s James Clarke was crucial with two excellent goalline clearances in quick succession, denying Harry Whitwell and substitute Pemberton from scoring. The commitment in defence was acknowledged by Savage: “They were brilliant, great clearances, defending your goal, desire—we do that as well.”
The match was not without controversy, with several questionable refereeing decisions sparking laughs between the two managers, though Savage chose to refrain from harsh criticism, recognizing the challenges officials face.
Looking ahead, Forest Green Rovers will not play another league match until December 20, when they travel to Yeovil. In the meantime, they host Weston-super-Mare in the FA Trophy. The game promises to be competitive, especially with former Forest Green midfielder Adam May now with Weston and expected to return to The New Lawn.
Savage is focused on progressing in the cup competition, stating, “It should be a good game next week; they’re flying in their league, we’re flying in ours, it’ll be a strong team because it’s a competition we want to go far in.”
Match Details:
Forest Green Rovers: Isted; Knowles, Mendy, Kanu (Robson 82), Buyabu (Clarke 73); Moore (Pemberton 46), Bunker; McAllister, Whitwell, Haughton; Babalola. Subs not used: McNicholas, Kengni, Bamba, Dausch.
Solihull Moors: Walker; Clarke, French, Whitmore, Green; Lipsiuc (Nicholson 86), High, Osborne (Tipton 61), Sinclair (Sonupe 61); Stevenson, Sbarra (Worman 61). Subs not used: Flahavan, Bowen, Nurse.
Referee: Paul Johnson
Attendance: 1,894 (124 away)