Forest Green Rovers v Torquay United – Tuesday 30th Sept
Posted: 28 Sep 2014, 17:27
Forest Green Rovers v Torquay United – Tuesday 30th September 2014 – 7.45 pm kick off
After the shock 4-3 defeat to AFC Telford United last Saturday, the Gulls are looking to bounce straight back to winning ways on Tuesday night against the team from Nailsworth near Gloucestershire, Forest Green Rovers, the longest serving Conference Premier team. Every United fan is hoping the Telford game was a blip in our winning ways as they make the 252.8 mile round trip to the New Lawn Stadium.
Forest Green Rovers has EMS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) which is a voluntary environmental management instrument, legislated from the European Commission of the European Union. EMAS EU regulation must be secured in order for an organisation to achieve this. 52 articles, chapter V and annex’s I-VIII of the legislation of EMS regards the environment rights. Bloody hell that will be boring to read, let’s get on with the football.
The club appointed Frank Gregan as their new manager in 1994 and the club enjoyed two successive promotions in 1997 and 1998 through the Southern League into the Football Conference. In the club's first season in the Conference they finished 12th. A run to the final of the FA Trophy saw them lose 1–0 at Wembley Stadium to Kingstonian. The appearance in the Trophy final made Forest Green the first club in history to have appeared in both the FA Vase final and FA Trophy final. They went on to appear in the FA Cup First Round for the first time, defeating Guiseley 6–0 to set up a home tie with Torquay United, which they lost 3–0.
Forest Green Rovers have won the FA Vase in the 1981–1982 season, Southern League Premier Division champions 1997–98, Southern League Southern Division champions 1996–97, Hellenic League champions 1981–82. Their best finish in the Conference Premier was 8th in the 2007-2008 season, the same season Torquay United were relegated to the Conference for the first time. They’ve reached the FA Trophy final twice and reached the 3rd round of the FA Cup twice also.
The New Lawn Stadium has a capacity of 5,140 (2,000 seated) and situated on the western edge of the picturesque Cotswold town of Nailsworth. The name Forest Green is taken from the area of the town where the clubs home is found. The ground is sited on top of a fairly steep hill and quite exposed to the elements; so warm clothing is advised when visiting. Technically the new ground does not have an official name at the moment as the Club are hoping to attract a corporate sponsor to purchase the naming rights to the stadium. In the meantime, the ground has been dubbed 'The New Lawn'. The stadium is dominated by the smart looking Western Thermal Stand at one side of the pitch. This 2,000 all seated capacity stand, has a cantilever roof as well as row of executive boxes running across the back of it. Opposite is a small open terrace, which is only seven steps high. Running along the back of this terrace are 4 floodlight pylons. Surprisingly the team dugouts have been located at this side of the pitch, rather than where you would have expected in front of the Main Stand. Interestingly both ends have to different degrees been relocated from the old Lawn to the new ground. At the Nympsfield Road end of the ground, is a covered terrace, the roof of which came from the Barnfield Road side of the old ground. Opposite is the EESI Stand, which until recently was a covered all seated stand, but has now had the seats removed to make it a terrace for home fans. This stand is of interest as it was the Trevor Horsley Stand which was transported from the Club's old ground and re-erected at the New Lawn.
This season the Club have decided to move away fans from the EESI Stand, to the Nympsfield Terrace at the opposite end of the ground. This is good news if you prefer to stand on a terrace, as the EESI Stand was previously all seated. The Nympsfield or North Terrace to give its official name, holds around 900 fans. In addition around 250 seats are made available to visiting fans in the North Stand. Entrance to the ground is via electronic turnstiles, meaning that you need to scan your ticket to gain admittance. This is somewhat of a novelty at this level. In the 2007-2008 season, Torquay fans packed out the entire Western Thermal Stand and did hold the highest attendance for Forest Green Rovers, until Derby County changed that in 2009 in the FA Cup 3rd round, with an attendance of nearly 5,000. United will be behind the goal and should be able to create a good atmosphere.
Where to drink? The best option for a drink though is in the clubs own bar, the Green Man, which is built into the back of the Main Stand. This bar serves real ale, hot food and has a number of televisions showing televised sports. However, when a large away following is expected, then the Club reverts to allowing only home fans entrance to it. If you have a bit of time on your hands then there is the Village Inn on the A46 on the North side of the town. This CAMRA Good Beer Guide listed pub is also home to the Nailsworth Brewery. There are some other pubs and food outlets are at the bottom of the hill in Nailsworth, which is about a 15 minute walk down the hill. But unless you are rather fit then the walk back up to the ground is not for the faint hearted as it is up a steep hill.
How to get there and parking. When planning a trip here, don’t try and find Forest Green on your road map, look up Nailsworth, south of Stroud in Gloucestershire. The best way to approach is from the M5 and exit at junction 13 and head for Stroud on the A419. At Stroud turn onto the A46 towards Nailsworth. This will bring you into the centre of the town, when you reach the Information Centre take the first right at the mini roundabout which goes up a steep hill sign posted Forest Green. The Lawn is at the top of this hill. Turn left at the roundabout at the 'summit' into the Club car park, which holds 250 cars. The cost of parking is £3 per car. Please note though that this car park is often full an hour before kick-off. There is no railway station in Nailsworth itself. The nearest is in Stroud which is three miles away. I would therefore consider getting a taxi from the station to the ground and booking one back for your return.
Nympsfield Road Terrace: Adults £15, Over 65's £11, Under 21's/Students £7, Under 16's £4.
Programme: £2.50
Forest Green Rovers sit at 12th position with 19 points, playing 12 with a +4 goal difference. They did have 22 points but have had a three-point deduction and a £500 fine after being found guilty of fielding an ineligible player (Luke Oliver who joined the club from Bradford City in January), against Southport 9th August. This breached the Conference Premier Membership regulation, 6.3. As for the business on the pitch, the Rovers lost their last game against Barnet at home. Barnet scored in the 90th minute to pinch the three points, so this won’t be an easy game for the Gulls. Both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways. I’m not sure of what the line up will be for the home side, but here’s the side they had against Barnet:
01 Russell
05 Oliver
03 Stokes
26 Coles
10 Kelly (Frear - 77' )
19 Sinclair
02 Pipe Booked
08 Wedgbury
28 Jolley (Guthrie - 69' )
11 Hughes (Parkin - 77' )
07 Norwood
Substitutes
06 Bennett
15 Oshodi
17 Guthrie
18 Frear
20 Parkin
As for United, we will be without Toby Ajala and Aaron Downes as they both got sent off against Telford on Saturday. Downes will be out for three games as it was a straight red, but Pearce will finally get his opportunity. Luckily, we have a pretty good replacement for Ajala too, Courtney Cameron. It’s refreshing know that we have talented options for back up. Ricey and the whole defence have to be much better for Tuesday, we cannot concede four goals again, that is not on. We need to bounce straight back and bring the three points home! We’ll be strong going forward as ever, we just need that stability at the back and we should be fine. Here’s the side I think we will see on Tuesday:
Rice
Tonge
MacDonald
Pearce
Cruise
Chappell
Richards
Young
Cameron
Ofori-Acheampong
Bowman
Substitutes
Seabright
(Who will replace Pearce?)
Wakefield
Sullivan
Yeoman
It’s a Tuesday night and therefore a pain to get to for some, but the players really need the support. It’s Forest Green and therefore not too far, shouldn’t be back too late! Try and get to Forest Green and support the lads, it really does help! Sing your hearts out for the players, nonstop and let’s hope we all travel back home to Torquay with three more points.
COYY!
After the shock 4-3 defeat to AFC Telford United last Saturday, the Gulls are looking to bounce straight back to winning ways on Tuesday night against the team from Nailsworth near Gloucestershire, Forest Green Rovers, the longest serving Conference Premier team. Every United fan is hoping the Telford game was a blip in our winning ways as they make the 252.8 mile round trip to the New Lawn Stadium.
Forest Green Rovers has EMS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) which is a voluntary environmental management instrument, legislated from the European Commission of the European Union. EMAS EU regulation must be secured in order for an organisation to achieve this. 52 articles, chapter V and annex’s I-VIII of the legislation of EMS regards the environment rights. Bloody hell that will be boring to read, let’s get on with the football.
The club appointed Frank Gregan as their new manager in 1994 and the club enjoyed two successive promotions in 1997 and 1998 through the Southern League into the Football Conference. In the club's first season in the Conference they finished 12th. A run to the final of the FA Trophy saw them lose 1–0 at Wembley Stadium to Kingstonian. The appearance in the Trophy final made Forest Green the first club in history to have appeared in both the FA Vase final and FA Trophy final. They went on to appear in the FA Cup First Round for the first time, defeating Guiseley 6–0 to set up a home tie with Torquay United, which they lost 3–0.
Forest Green Rovers have won the FA Vase in the 1981–1982 season, Southern League Premier Division champions 1997–98, Southern League Southern Division champions 1996–97, Hellenic League champions 1981–82. Their best finish in the Conference Premier was 8th in the 2007-2008 season, the same season Torquay United were relegated to the Conference for the first time. They’ve reached the FA Trophy final twice and reached the 3rd round of the FA Cup twice also.
The New Lawn Stadium has a capacity of 5,140 (2,000 seated) and situated on the western edge of the picturesque Cotswold town of Nailsworth. The name Forest Green is taken from the area of the town where the clubs home is found. The ground is sited on top of a fairly steep hill and quite exposed to the elements; so warm clothing is advised when visiting. Technically the new ground does not have an official name at the moment as the Club are hoping to attract a corporate sponsor to purchase the naming rights to the stadium. In the meantime, the ground has been dubbed 'The New Lawn'. The stadium is dominated by the smart looking Western Thermal Stand at one side of the pitch. This 2,000 all seated capacity stand, has a cantilever roof as well as row of executive boxes running across the back of it. Opposite is a small open terrace, which is only seven steps high. Running along the back of this terrace are 4 floodlight pylons. Surprisingly the team dugouts have been located at this side of the pitch, rather than where you would have expected in front of the Main Stand. Interestingly both ends have to different degrees been relocated from the old Lawn to the new ground. At the Nympsfield Road end of the ground, is a covered terrace, the roof of which came from the Barnfield Road side of the old ground. Opposite is the EESI Stand, which until recently was a covered all seated stand, but has now had the seats removed to make it a terrace for home fans. This stand is of interest as it was the Trevor Horsley Stand which was transported from the Club's old ground and re-erected at the New Lawn.
This season the Club have decided to move away fans from the EESI Stand, to the Nympsfield Terrace at the opposite end of the ground. This is good news if you prefer to stand on a terrace, as the EESI Stand was previously all seated. The Nympsfield or North Terrace to give its official name, holds around 900 fans. In addition around 250 seats are made available to visiting fans in the North Stand. Entrance to the ground is via electronic turnstiles, meaning that you need to scan your ticket to gain admittance. This is somewhat of a novelty at this level. In the 2007-2008 season, Torquay fans packed out the entire Western Thermal Stand and did hold the highest attendance for Forest Green Rovers, until Derby County changed that in 2009 in the FA Cup 3rd round, with an attendance of nearly 5,000. United will be behind the goal and should be able to create a good atmosphere.
Where to drink? The best option for a drink though is in the clubs own bar, the Green Man, which is built into the back of the Main Stand. This bar serves real ale, hot food and has a number of televisions showing televised sports. However, when a large away following is expected, then the Club reverts to allowing only home fans entrance to it. If you have a bit of time on your hands then there is the Village Inn on the A46 on the North side of the town. This CAMRA Good Beer Guide listed pub is also home to the Nailsworth Brewery. There are some other pubs and food outlets are at the bottom of the hill in Nailsworth, which is about a 15 minute walk down the hill. But unless you are rather fit then the walk back up to the ground is not for the faint hearted as it is up a steep hill.
How to get there and parking. When planning a trip here, don’t try and find Forest Green on your road map, look up Nailsworth, south of Stroud in Gloucestershire. The best way to approach is from the M5 and exit at junction 13 and head for Stroud on the A419. At Stroud turn onto the A46 towards Nailsworth. This will bring you into the centre of the town, when you reach the Information Centre take the first right at the mini roundabout which goes up a steep hill sign posted Forest Green. The Lawn is at the top of this hill. Turn left at the roundabout at the 'summit' into the Club car park, which holds 250 cars. The cost of parking is £3 per car. Please note though that this car park is often full an hour before kick-off. There is no railway station in Nailsworth itself. The nearest is in Stroud which is three miles away. I would therefore consider getting a taxi from the station to the ground and booking one back for your return.
Nympsfield Road Terrace: Adults £15, Over 65's £11, Under 21's/Students £7, Under 16's £4.
Programme: £2.50
Forest Green Rovers sit at 12th position with 19 points, playing 12 with a +4 goal difference. They did have 22 points but have had a three-point deduction and a £500 fine after being found guilty of fielding an ineligible player (Luke Oliver who joined the club from Bradford City in January), against Southport 9th August. This breached the Conference Premier Membership regulation, 6.3. As for the business on the pitch, the Rovers lost their last game against Barnet at home. Barnet scored in the 90th minute to pinch the three points, so this won’t be an easy game for the Gulls. Both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways. I’m not sure of what the line up will be for the home side, but here’s the side they had against Barnet:
01 Russell
05 Oliver
03 Stokes
26 Coles
10 Kelly (Frear - 77' )
19 Sinclair
02 Pipe Booked
08 Wedgbury
28 Jolley (Guthrie - 69' )
11 Hughes (Parkin - 77' )
07 Norwood
Substitutes
06 Bennett
15 Oshodi
17 Guthrie
18 Frear
20 Parkin
As for United, we will be without Toby Ajala and Aaron Downes as they both got sent off against Telford on Saturday. Downes will be out for three games as it was a straight red, but Pearce will finally get his opportunity. Luckily, we have a pretty good replacement for Ajala too, Courtney Cameron. It’s refreshing know that we have talented options for back up. Ricey and the whole defence have to be much better for Tuesday, we cannot concede four goals again, that is not on. We need to bounce straight back and bring the three points home! We’ll be strong going forward as ever, we just need that stability at the back and we should be fine. Here’s the side I think we will see on Tuesday:
Rice
Tonge
MacDonald
Pearce
Cruise
Chappell
Richards
Young
Cameron
Ofori-Acheampong
Bowman
Substitutes
Seabright
(Who will replace Pearce?)
Wakefield
Sullivan
Yeoman
It’s a Tuesday night and therefore a pain to get to for some, but the players really need the support. It’s Forest Green and therefore not too far, shouldn’t be back too late! Try and get to Forest Green and support the lads, it really does help! Sing your hearts out for the players, nonstop and let’s hope we all travel back home to Torquay with three more points.
COYY!