Forest Geen Rovers earn second bite of the Cherries (From Stroud News and Journal)

Forest Geen Rovers earn second bite of the Cherries

FA Cup first round Forest Green 1 Bournemouth 1

THE FA Cup has a canny knack of throwing up a few shocks and valiant Forest Green certainly echoed this with a pulsating performance that will give Alan Lewer's side another bite at Bournemouth next Wednesday.

Victory at Dean Court would see Rovers face either Bristol Rovers or Carlisle in the second round.

Jefferson Louis' headed second-half equaliser cancelled out Steve Fletcher's 24th minute opener.

At times any neutral observers would have been hard pressed to tell which side was pressing for a place in the Championship, or who was struggling for Conference survival. Such was Forest Green's swagger it was hard to imagine the vast chasm of 64 places that separated these two unlikely bedfellows, drawn together on a chilly November day.

Rovers more than matched their South Coast opponents in a first-half that the Nailsworth side at times bossed with Stephen Reed pulling the midfield strings.

Matt Gadsby set the tone with a fizzing fifth minute strike. Five minutes later Andy Watson's cross was cleared for a Rovers corner. Jon Richardson's header was defended leaving Reed to fizz over.

Nonetheless, the Cherries began to threaten, but found Dean Williams in confident mood.

Reed was gaining a stranglehold on the game despite the sniping runs of the fleet-footed John Spicer. And it was Reed who broke through the middle to plant a long distance strike beyond the right-hand post, with Neil Moss beaten, on the cusp of half-time. With Jon Richardson failing to return after the break, Alan Lewer introduced Louis in a two-pronged attack with Charlie Griffin.

The switch proved inspired. On 56 minutes the former Oxford man dropped off his marker to crash home a powerful header past Moss.

Rovers smelled a famous victory and should have gone 2-1 up on 70 minutes. Reed cut a swathe through the Cherries' defence, but Louis' scuffed shot caused mayhem with Neil Young almost touching the ball beyond his own keeper.

Deep into injury time Sean O'Driscoll's side almost snatched a fortuitous winner. Brian Stocks' free-kick was helped on by the faintest of Marcus Browning touches, but the ball hit Williams' chest for Rovers to claim a deserved replay.

* Tickets for the replay on Wednesday November 24, 7.45pm must be purchased from the Bournemouth Ticket Office at Dean Court upon arrival for the match. Prices for visiting supporters, who are allocated the outer left area of the East Stand are priced at £16 Adults, £8 Concessions and £6 Children (Under 16 years).

The Forest Green Supporters Club will be running coaches to the match, leaving The Lawn at 4.30pm.

Please call Andy Whiting on 07979 635087 or the Club Office on 01453 834860.