Forest Green Rovers (Away) Match Preview 11-02-2014

Braintree Town’s midweek fixture involves a trip to Gloucestershire to take on the longest serving members of the Conference Premier, Forest Green Rovers. After booking a place in the Essex Senior cup final last Tuesday for the first time since 1997, more poor weather has seen another game at the Amlin postponed this weekend. Midweek fixtures will now be a regular feature for Iron, who have up to eight games in hand over some of the competition.

The lack of league action has seen Iron slip to seventeenth place, three places behind their hosts on Tuesday. However, a win would see Devonshire’s side leapfrog Forest Green Rovers, who are just two points better off going into the fixture. A mix of bad weather and floodlight problems has seen Rovers have a similarly disrupted start to the year. However, in the three games that have been played to the final whistle, Rovers are unbeaten, picking up seven points and scoring ten goals in the process. A 1-1 draw with rivals Hereford was followed up with a spectacular 6-2 away demolition of bottom of the table Hyde, and a 3-0 victory over Chester FC.

The reverse fixture this season ended in a stalemate, when James Norward’s early lead for the visitors was levelled with a Kenny Davis penalty. The sides have been very even overall in recent years also. Last season was one for the home sides, where Iron enjoyed a 3-1 win through goals from Marks, Daley and another Davis penalty. However the reverse fixture saw Rovers go one better to win the game 4-1 at the New Lawn, meaning it was three points a piece from these two games. A similar outcome was reached the season prior, but this time it was the away side that prospered. Braintree were first to be successful on the road, winning by two goals and keeping a clean sheet. It was a different story at the Amlin where a ten man Iron conceded five, with just a Sean Marks consolation to show from the day.

Tickets can be bought prior to the game from the Forest Green Rovers website, at £14 for adults, £10 for seniors, £7 for young adults and £4 for juniors. The website allows tickets to be purchased and printed at home. Club address: The New Lawn, Another way, Nailsworth GL6 0FG. Please use postcode GL6 0ET for Sat Nav’s directions to the stadium.