Owers puts it down to that festive spirit (From Stroud News and Journal)

Owers puts it down to that festive spirit

FOREST Green midfielder Gary Owers guided Rovers to their sixth consecutive Nationwide Conference victory in a 4-1 demolition of Margate on Saturday and then attributed the club's recent resurgence to a touch of Christmas spirit.

Rovers, moved up to 14th in the table well clear of the relegation zone after a decisive win, which put them above Margate after a run of just one defeat in ten games and afterwards Owers confirmed that the team is confident they can go on to finish in the top half by the end of the season.

"It's another win and we have done well, especially at home. There's a brilliant spirit in the dressing room and I think it will carry us through to the end of the season," he said.

"We got a good start when we scored with a goal from a set-piece early on after a good ball in from Fozzie (Martin Foster). Three of the goals came from nothing really, a long throw and crosses into the box, but we are sticking them away. Fozzie got on the end of a good cross in the second half after a good build-up and it was a very good goal.

"I think it all started around Christmas time for me. We really got to know each other and spent a bit more time on the training ground. We saw a bit more of each other with the extra training sessions and the spirit has developed from there.

"I think that's four or five games in a row we have won at home now and I can't really see it ending at the minute. Our aim is to finish in the top half but the manager (Colin Addison) won't let us become complacent and neither will Birch (coach Paul Birch).

"We will just keep our heads down, keep working hard and see where it takes us, added the 34-year-old, former Sunderland and Bristol City star, who claims he is thoroughly enjoying life at The Lawn.

"I'm enjoying it a lot. I've come at the start of the season and I'm really enjoying it up here. "It's a great club to play for," he said.

Rovers visit Gainsborough Trinity in the FA trophy fourth round next Saturday (3pm) and Owers is hoping the club can progress in that competition as well.

"We haven't thought about that game yet but we will be prepared for it," he said, " It's a good draw for us and hopefully we can get past that and then take anyone at home in the next round," he said.

* Forest Green host Cheltenham Town on Tuesday February 11 for a Gloucestershire Senior Cup quarter-final tie (7.45pm).