Mixed week for Rovers (From Stroud News and Journal)

Mixed week for Rovers

Conference

Hereford Utd 2 Forest Green Rovers 1

DEAN WILLIAMS' leg injury marred a spirited Forest Green performance at Hereford United last Tuesday.

Williams damaged his leg in a first-half collision, but bravely played on. Initial fears of a suspected broken leg have now been quashed, with Williams now expected to be missing for several weeks after X-rays revealed ankle ligament damage.

Earlier, two goals in the first 20 minutes were enough to net Hereford the points. After a dour opening 10 minutes, Hereford sparked to life.

Jamie Pitman floated a free-kick into the penalty area and, with David Brown challenging, Craig Stanley was waiting to rifle a powerful volley into the net.

Eight minutes later, Danny Williams' pass was deflected into the path of Adam Stansfield and the Bulls top scorer raced on before powering home a crisp left-foot drive.

However, Rovers drew parity when Matt Gadsby swung in a cross from the right and Adam Garner cracked in a first-time shot from the edge of the area.

Rovers almost snatched a dramatic point at the death when Garner's header from a Richard Appleby cross was hacked off the goal-line via the woodwork by Rob Purdie.

Forest Green: Williams, Lyttle, Garner, Searle, Davies, Roberts (Appleby 67 min), Gadsby, Rogers (Richardson 89 min), Reed (Danks 76 min), Beesley, Griffiin. Subs not used: Windle, Adams.

Conference

Farnborough Town 1 Forest Green Rovers 1

FOREST GREEN were this week viewing video footage after the sending off of substitute Richard Appleby.

Midfielder Appleby was shown red on 81 minutes, just 90 seconds after replacing Charlie Griffin. Appleby was adjudged to have thrown a punch at Boro's Jay Smith despite the Rovers player adamant that an elbow had been thrown by the Boro midfielder.

Earlier, Rovers took a 13th minute through Griffin's 12th goal of the season , after he nodded home from the cultured foot of impressive Bristol Rovers loan star, Ryan Williams' cross.

But 14 minutes later it was all square as Steve Hughes lashed home a left-foot shot. Rovers were indebted to their goalkeeper Steve Perrin for earning them a point as he twice saved brilliantly to deny Michael Kightly early in the second half.

Forest Green: Perrin, Lyttle, Garner, Searle, Davies, Roberts (Watson 76), Gadsby, Rogers (Richardson 90), Ryan Williams, Beesley, Griffin (Appleby 79). Subs Not Used: Danks, Windle.