New signing Cowe sparks Rovers rout (From Stroud News and Journal)

New signing Cowe sparks Rovers rout

Forest Green 4, Leigh RMI 1 NEW signing Steve Cowe enjoyed a superb debut as Forest Green shook off their recent goal drought with a convincing dismissal of relegation rivals Leigh RMI on Saturday.

Cowe, a 28-year-old winger on loan from Newport, but formerly with Aston Villa and Swindon Town slotted in immaculately with his new teammates as Rovers romped to their biggest win of the season, outplaying an ineffective Leigh side who were never really in the hunt once midfielder Alex Sykes had put Rovers ahead with a superbly-crafted goal after 40 minutes.

Sykes effort a clever curling 20-yarder opened the floodgates with the rest of Rovers strike force getting in on the act in the second half. Kayode Odejayi, who had a hand in all four goals, helped himself to a brace and substitute Alex Meechan ended his personal goal drought with the fourth in injury-time after Leigh had reduced the arrears from the penalty spot.

But it was Cowe, whose pace, control and ability to beat defenders had Rovers supporters singing his praises.

The Gloucester-based forward was given the freedom to roam alongside twin striker Odejayi and Neil Grayson and made the most of it as he gave a square Leigh defence a difficult time with his clever footwork and accurate crossing ability.

Indeed, Cowe might have crowned his debut in style with a goal in the opening minute as first he forced a corner and then when Sykes kick came over he glanced a header wide.

That was just the start of a much more encouraging display from Rovers who could easily have been two goals up in the opening 20 minutes as they took control from the outset.

With eight minutes gone a neat piece of work from Cowe set up Steve Jenkins for a cross, which Odejayi headed back from beyond the far post and Grayson headed over from close range.

And six minutes later Odejayi should have scored when he took a Sykes pass to cut in from the left and beat two defenders before side-footing his shot just past the upright.

The worst miss, however, came with 21 minutes gone as Graysons long throw-in was headed on by Jenkins and Odejayi leaving Matt Russell with a free header from barely five yards, but he somehow put it over the bar.

Leigh had hardly created a worthwhile attack in the opening quarter but momentarily they had the Rovers rearguard in a tangle before Ian Monk shot tamely into the side-netting, while home keeper Steve Perrin easily saved Phil Salts drive.

However, it was Rovers who continued to make most of the running and they finally reaped their reward in the 40th minute when a Leigh attack broke down and the ball was quickly cleared.

Odejayi and Sykes combined sweetly to set the latter free on the left and after stepping inside a defender he curled a precise shot low inside the far post from 20 yards, with visiting keeper Stuart Coburn rooted to the spot.

Leigh substitute Andrew Heald and Rovers midfielder were both booked for fouls in first half injury time and Kevin Langan replaced skipper Jon Richardson for the second half which was only two minutes old when Rovers increased their lead with a simple second goal.

A free-kick from the left was half-cleared to Cowe who swung an angled ball into the box where it bounced perfectly for Odejayi to flick a header over Coburn and under the bar.

Grayson twice went close with headers and Cowe cut in from the left to direct his shot over, before Perrin produced an alert save to foil Monks close-range effort.

But that was one of the few occasions the Rovers keeper was forced into action as Leigh seemed unable to penetrate a resolute home rearguard despite making a double substitution in the 56th minute.

Grayson, who worked hard for little reward, before he and Cowe were replaced by Rob Cook and Meechan as the game wore on, then drove a cross-shot wide after slipping clear in midfield and Cowe cut in to send in a firm drive which Coburn was well positioned to save, but Leighs defence was again caught square as they conceded a third in the 84th minute.

This time a long ball forward saw Odejayi race clear and although Coburn initially got down to thwart him, the ball ran loose and Odejayi recovered to swivel and find the net with a precise low shot.

Langan followed Gary Owers and Cowe into referee Trevor Kettles book, along with Heald, Tolson and Salt for Leigh, but the fussy official then gave Leigh a barely deserved consolation goal with two minutes left, awarding a penalty when Rovers defender Darren Jones was involved in what looked like a fairly routine challenge on Ged Courtney.

It mattered little. Even while concentrating on closing the game out, Rovers still contrived to score a simple fourth goal, Odejayi glancing a deft header to send Meechan through to drill a sweet low shot past Coburn and complete a badly needed victory, their first in seven league games.

Forest Green: Perrin, Jenkins, Richardson (Langan 46), Jones, M Russell, Owers, Foster, Sykes,Odejayi, Grayson (Cook 71), Cowe (Meechan 79). Substitutes (not used): Coupe, Glassup.

Leigh RMI: Coburn, Harrison, Robertson (Fisher 56), Durkin, Fitzhenry (Heald 30), Monk, Maden, Whittaker, Salt, Kielty (Courtney 56), Tolson. Substitutes (not used): McGill, Kendrick. Referee: T Kettle (Maidenhead).

For more Stroud and Nailsworth sport, see this week's SNJ.