First half goals across the span of seven minutes from Charlie McCann and Christian Doidge were enough to condemn Sutton United to defeat at The New Lawn, despite a another positive display from the U’s.
Despite a positive start to proceedings, McCann gave Forest Green Rovers the lead after 29 minutes when Liam Sercombe did well to pick out his midfield counterpart, with McCann driving towards goal before planting a pinpoint effort into the bottom corner, and was doubled just seven minutes through Doidge, with the Green number nine tapping in from close range after Tom Knowles had slid the ball to Jamie Robson who’s effort across goal was diverted over the line by the former.
Despite their dominance towards the end of the first half, Sutton came out the blocks quickly after the restart and halved the deficit on the hour-mark when Will Davies struck a low drive from distance past Fabian Mrozek, but the U’s struggled to break down a superb defensive display from the hosts, who were able to condemn Steve Morison’s side to a narrow loss on the road.
Defeat in Gloucestershire sees the U’s remain 12th in the Vanarama National League table, and will be looking to bounce back with the visit of FC Halifax Town on Saturday.
Two changes to Saturday’s win at Maidenhead United saw Morison switch shape, with match-winner Dillon De Silva as well as Nana Boateng being replaced by Jack Wadham and Henry Sandat, with the former making up a midfield diamond while the latter made his first U’s start as he joined Will Davies up front.
Action at The New Lawn got off to a rapid start, with both sides having opportunities in the opening few minutes. First, a driving run from Tom Knowles ended with a dangerous effort from the edge of the box that flew over the crossbar inside 60 seconds, before Sutton went up the other end with Lewis Simper, who combined nicely with Eduino Vaz on the left flank. The U’s left back played a low ball into the path of Siju Odelusi who saw a powerful drive canon off Ben Tozer from point blank range, moments before Vaz and Jack Taylor both had shots from the edge of the box go begging.
This certainly looked to foreshadow an end-to-end clash, and preceded another couple of chances for both sides as Doidge nodded a header into McCann’s path who’s scooped effort was claimed by Sims, before Sandat tried to capitalise on a misplaced pass at the back and subsequently won a free kick in a dangerous area, which Vaz struck down the throat of Mrozek.
Forest Green then saw the best chance of the half so far fall their way, as Emmanuel Osadebe found himself in behind the U’s backline, but rather than going for goal opted to square it towards the onrushing Jordon Garrick, and allowed Ryan Jackson to clear his lines at the back post.
This was followed by a chance for Simper who fired a vicious effort from distance just over the crossbar, but this would be the last attempt to open the scoring from the U’s as Forest Green finally drew first blood against the run of play through McCann, who drilled a shot past Sims and into the bottom corner with half-an-hour gone.
With the advantage in favour of the hosts, this seemed to open the floodgates with additional chances falling to Sercome and Knowles who were both denied by Sims, before the Green added a second just seven minutes after taking the lead, with Doidge taking the credit when he forced Robson’s initial effort over the line from a few yards out.
The hosts almost made it three moments later with Robson finding himself through on goal and being brilliantly denied by Sims from close range, with the U’s goalkeeper having to prevent a Doidge header soon after, and saw the Green take a two-goal cushion into the break.
However, Steve Cotterill’s side were shell-shocked after the restart as the U’s pulled a goal back on the hour-mark, with Davies brilliantly firing home his 17th goal of the season to instil some hope.
This injected some momentum into the U’s, and saw them go ever so close to a leveller when Odelusi twice fired inches over the crossbar, either side of a change in attack which saw Sandat replaced by Ashley Nadesan.
Nadesan almost had an instant impact, first setting the aforementioned Odelusi chance, before showing brilliant work to keep the ball in play on the byline with a first-time cross on the slide, picking out Vaz at the far post who’s drive was blocked into the path of Simper, who sent a powerful volley off target.
In search of a leveller, Morison introduced De Silva in place of Wadham, although the Sri Lanka international had to be replaced just four minutes later after coming off of a heavy challenge worse, with Josh Coley entering the fray.
Forest Green maintained an extremely sold defence as Sutton’s quest for a late equaliser looked to be in vain, with the clock slowly ticking towards 90 with the U’s still trailing despite a dominant second half display.
A late change saw Boateng replace Odelusi, and followed a half chance for the visitors as Barbrook sent a tame volley into the gloves of Mrozek, although five minutes of stoppage time allowed the U’s one last chance to find an equaliser.
This almost came in controversial fashion as an indirect free kick inside the box was awarded at the death due to Mrozek taking too long to restart play, however with Simper firing into the wall, this proved enough to Forest Green to see out the win as the U’s who fell to a narrow defeat.
Forest Green Rovers: Mrozek; Tozer (Bunker 53’), Innis, Osadebe, McCann (Flemming 90+5’), Doidge (Quigley 74’), Sercombe, Knowles (Cardwell 74’), Robson, May, Garrick (Long 90+2’)
Sutton United: Sims; Jackson, Taylor, Muller, Vaz; Barbrook, Wadham (De Silva 72’, Coley 76’)), Simper, Odelusi (Boateng 87’); Sandat (Nadesan 61’), Davies
