Howey uses his head to good effect (From Stroud News and Journal)

Howey uses his head to good effect

Fisher Athletic 1, Forest Green Rovers 3

FOREST Green Rovers progressed in the FA Cup on Saturday with a fine win over Fisher Athletic to set up another away tie in the competition, this time against third division Macclesfield Town.

The Rovers camp will also be very pleased they picked up a nice little win bonus of around 20,000 to bolster the kitty.

Defender Lee Howey once again used his head to good effect to add to his collection of set-piece goals when he put Rovers in front on 12 minutes from a corner kick, but five minutes later Fisher equalised when Ray Powell fired home from a testing cross from John Mighty.

On the half hour, midfielder Mark Cooper, just returned from injury, tested home keeper Maurice Munden, who somehow managed to keep the ball out.

Rovers' next goal come from a sweet move with new signing Kayode Odejayl accelerating into the box before finding Alex Meechan, who laid on a neat pass for winger Simon Futcher to tap home.

Half-time: Fisher Athletic 1, Forest Green 2.

Second-half play was evenly contested with both goalkeepers earning their money. Steve Perrins in particular pulled off a couple of very good diving saves to keep Fisher out.

But on 70 minutes Rovers sewed the game up when Odejayi seized on a poor Fisher back pass. Keeper Munden parried the first shot but was unable to stop the follow-up.

Near the end of the game Simon Futcher was stretchered off with a leg injury.

Manager Nigel Spink was in buoyant mood after the game: "It was a bit tricky for us. Fisher are not a bad side and they pressed hard in the second half."

He was very pleased with the way his big on-loan striker Odejayi performed and forged a good-looking partnership with his old Bristol ity team-mate Alex Meecham.

He was also pleased with the way Cooper played, though as he says: "He will obviously need a few games now to regain his match fitness."

Spink is not unhappy with drawing Macclesfield in the next round. "We are looking forward to playing them and, unlike the Fisher game, there will be no pressure on us. We can just go out and enjoy the game with the knowledge that we have a good chance of progressing further."

It's back to league action this Saturday when Forest Green are home to Margate at The Lawn.

"Margate are pushing for the top, a strong and powerful outfit, and a force to be reckoned with," commented Rovers' manager.