Bruno's double knockout on unlucky Wood (From Stroud News and Journal)

Bruno's double knockout on unlucky Wood

SHORTWOOD UNITED....................1 Forest Green Rovers................5

FOR 78 minutes Shortwood United found themselves only 2-1 down and in the game against their illustrious neighbours from across the valley, that is until Portuguese triallist and second-half substitute Bruno Teixeiria turned up the heat.

The impressive striker, recommended to Forest Green Rovers boss Gary Owers by Yeovil boss Gary Johnson, plundered two goals on 77 and 78 minutes as Rovers came from behind to coast to a 5-1 victory.

Earlier, Gary Owers' experimental side were given a thorough first-half work out from a United side that took a surprise second minute lead when Jon Embling's high ball fell to James Singh, who got behind Damon Searle to angle a shot past Clint Davis.

Shortwood continued to look competitive with Tim Haddock and Rich Moore full of energy in midfield, and it was Haddock who struck the bar after his nimble footwork opened the opportunity before the break.

However, Rovers found parity on 23 minutes. Former Cardiff City striker Tony Bird found Mark Danks who lifted the ball over the advancing James Price.

Despite United's resilience, Rovers made it two when Jon Beswetherick's 33rd minute cross was missed by Danks for Bird to sweep past Price, who later denied Bird a goal from point-blank range save.

Nonetheless, Bird swooped to make it two when Danks teed him up. It was a much-changed Rovers side that started the second half, and the full-time side began to exert their superior fitness on United.

In truth, United hardly had a kick as the ball stuck to Rovers like glue. First, Teixeria knocked home Rovers' third after Jay Richings failed to hold Craig Loxton's shot, then straight from the re-start Teixeria stole possession from Matt Green to make it four.

With six minutes to go Nigerian Christian Sylvestre allowed striker Marvin Brown the simplest of chances for the fifth.

SHORTWOOD: J. Price, Matt Green, J, Embling, J. Darby, I. Preece, R. Evans, T. Haddock, R. Moore, C. Cole, J. Singh, G. Davis. Subs (all used): J. Richings (gk), N. Long, J. Lang, D. Price, M. Haddock, M. Beckingham.

FOREST GREEN: C. Davies (F. Ramos 62), S. Clarkson (J. Ferro 45), J. Beswetherick, C. Loxton, D. Davis, D. Searle, M. Brown, J. Gleeson (C. Sylvestre 62), T. Bird (B. Teixeira 45), M. Danks (A. Meechan 45), P. Stonehouse (J. Gosling 45).

Referee: C. Gay.

Attendance: 420

Men of the match : T. Haddock (Shortwood); B. Teixeira (Forest Green).