Rovers draw makes it 200 not out (From Stroud News and Journal)

Rovers draw makes it 200 not out

Stevenage Boro 0, Forest Green Rov 0 In August 1998 Forest Green Rovers played their first ever match in the Football Conference, going down 2-0 to Rushden & Diamonds, now in the Football League.

Many pundits have predicted Rovers demise from the top flight of non-league football, but Saturday's hard fought 0-0 draw with Stevenage Borough was Conference match number 200 and they're still going strong.

The result was all the more rewarding to Manager Colin Addison with him down to the bare bones of a team.

Steve Jenkins and Martin Foster missing through suspension were joined as mere spectators by injured team mates Matthew Russell, Lee Russell, Alex Sykes, Steve Cowe and Alan McLoughlin. In fact, Addison could only name a reserve keeper and 2 out players on the substitutes bench.

The opposition however had completely renewed their team, with 9 top class players coming into the side that had emphatically beaten Rovers 3-0 at The Lawn earlier in the season.

All eyes were on Dino Maamira the Tunisian International signed only 24 hrs before, but his debut would be snuffed out by the resilience of Kevin Langan in the Rovers defence.

The first half lacked few inspired moments with almost a complete stale mate situation in mid-field. Alex Meechan did have an opportunity to put Rovers ahead when Rob Cook's miss hit strike fell into his path but his effort was easily contained by keeper Lionel Perez.

Minutes before the break the home team finally made a break for Simon Wormull who inexcusably blasted over after good work by Maamira. The striker himself wasted a golden opportunity for a debut goal, heading straight into Steve Perrin's midriff from close range.

The entertainment value of the second half didn't waiver from the stranglehold of the first half, with Rovers happy to contain Stevenage and try to catch them on the break. Gary Owers goal-bond strike was blocked by an outstretched leg of defender Nathan Bunce and Rovers at last began to look livelier.

Kayode Odejayi's great run was brought to an end by a desperate tackle from the Ex-Premier Division keeper, Perez earning a yellow card from referee Mr Yerby.

Meechan forced a spectacular diving save from the home keeper when his effort was deflected by Neil Grayson.

Stevenage awoke from their slumber, realised they desperately needed all 3 points to get away from the drop zone, Perrin again showed his abilities, tipping Bunce's header over for a corner.

It was all hands to the pump in the closing minutes for Rovers, both Grayson and Simon Futcher cleared shots off the line and regardless of all Stevenage's pressure the whole team pulled together to earn the draw.

Several new records were made at the Broadhall Way Stadium, yes it was Rovers 200th Conference match, yes it was Rovers 15th match with only 1 defeat at Yeovil, but most of all goalkeeper Steve Perrin's 5th consecutive clean sheet, a new record for a Forest Green Rovers keeper in modern times, but he would also be modest and give credit to the 10 good players in front of him.

Team:- Perrin, Cook, Richardson, Jones, Futcher (Adams 90), Langan, Meechan, Owers, Cleverley, Grayson, Odejayi. Subs not used: Tweddle, Giannangelo Man of the match: Kevin Langan. Attendance: 1884.