Addison pays tribute to Rovers' miracle rise (From Stroud News and Journal)

Addison pays tribute to Rovers' miracle rise

Forest Green Rovers manager, Colin Addison, paid glowing tribute to his side after a superb 1-0 win at second-placed Chester pushed Rovers into the top half of the Nationwide Conference table on Saturday.

Alex Meechan's 18th minute strike sealed victory for Rovers who have now lost just once in their last 12 matches and taken 21 points from the last 10 league games to soar from second bottom to 11th in the table in the past two months leaving Addison a happy man.

"It was an absolutely magnificent performance and a wonderful result. It was a great day for the club ," said Addison.

"What made it even more impressive was that we did it without Darren Jones who has been awesome in defence this season, but we knew on Thursday that he would not be able to play and we made the necessary adjustments which worked very well.

"Kevin Langan played superbly at the back, as did Steve Jenkins and Jon Richardson but Neil Grayson and Kayode Odejayi worked hard up front and the whole team did us proud," said Addison,who must be a candidate for manager of the season, after taking over a Rovers side who lost their first five Conference games back in the Autumn.

"That seems a long time ago and thankfully it's well behind us now, but we won't be getting carried away. Everyone has worked very hard to get us where we are now, but I don't want to hear any silly talk about us reaching the play-offs because there are a lot of games still to be played.

"You won't hear any of us making silly statements about about where we are going to finish. Our aim is to finish as high as possible and go as far as possible in the FA Trophy and cup competitions we are still in and that's all we have ever tried to do," he said.

* Forest Green Rovers are taking part in a Charity Sporting Quiz Night staged in aid of the Gloucestershire Prostate Cancer (Brachytherapy Unit) Trust at the Bell Inn, Shurdington on February 24 (7.30 for 8pm), featuring teams from many of the senior sports clubs in the county.

Cheltenham Town FC, Gloucester City FC, Gloucester RFC and Lydney RFC will enter teams in the event which is sponsored by the Cheltenham and Gloucester Building Society and tickets at £5, including buffet supper, can be obtained from organiser, Colin Peake on 01453 834860 or from the Bell Inn.