Forest Green Rovers managed a hard-earned 2-0 win over a “difficult” Weymouth side to earn a place in the first round of the 2024/25 FA Cup.
After starting the season in scintillating form in the National League Steve Cotterill’s side had to turn their attention to cup action on Saturday afternoon, welcoming National League South side Weymouth to The New Lawn.
Liam Sercombe’s first-half strike and a late second from Christian Doidge helped Rovers ensure they would be in the hat for the first-round draw.
Despite 46 league places lying between Forest Green and Weymouth, Cotterill was under no illusions that the game would be tough.
Embed from Getty Images“It’s difficult when a team comes and sits 5-4-1, then you have to break them down, make sure every pass is perfect and stretch the pitch.”
Cotterill continued, “Not every pass is going to get to its destination, so there are times when there are going to be interceptions and I’ve seen the 5-4-1 a lot of times in my years.
“It can give you a false sense of security and all of a sudden you get caught on a counterattack and it becomes an even more difficult game.”
Forest Green will now host Braintree Town next Saturday returning to league action, where they currently sit three points off of Barnet at the top of the table.
🪄 Chaz making things happen
— Forest Green Rovers (@FGRFC_Official) October 12, 2024
✔️ Doidgey finding the bottom corner#WeAreFGR💚 pic.twitter.com/h82BIy7DR1
Cotterill was thankful that the team came through the cup tie with a full bill of health, “[We came through it] with no injuries, we were a bit light going into today, it’s been a tough week.”
Goalkeeper, Jamie Searle made his second appearance of the season due to first-choice between the sticks, Jed Ward being unavailable because of his loan agreement with Bristol Rovers.
Searle was happy with the mentality of the team, “We were pleased with the performance, it’s not always easy when you go into a game like that and you know they’re just going to sit in.
“So we just had to be patient and not get too frustrated with ourselves if it wasn’t always working out, and being clinical when we get the opportunity.”
Kick-off coming up in 5⃣.#WeAreFGR💚 pic.twitter.com/8YvyfVF0dc
— Forest Green Rovers (@FGRFC_Official) October 12, 2024
The New Zealand-born shot-stopper was the only goalkeeper in the matchday squad due to third-choice Fiachra Pagel being cup-tied from a previous qualifying round.
Having taken an early knock in the game, Searle was assured he wouldn’t have had to be replaced, “Everyone needs to play games, everyone wants to play games, so for me i’ve got to take those opportunities when they come.
“So for me I’ve got to take those opportunities when they come. I’ll keep playing through anything, it’ll take a lot to get me off that pitch.”
Forest Green will discover their FA Cup first-round opponents at 7 pm and you can follow the draw live on BBC Two.
