Abbey shoots down Harriers (From Stroud News and Journal)

Abbey shoots down Harriers

Zema Abbey answered his critics with two neatly taken goals to earn Forest Green a smashing victory at Aggborough.

Having failed to hit the target in his previous matches, the former Norwich City striker certainly found his range in menacing fashion.

Rovers made four changes from the side that turned in a wretched performance against York City. Striker Luke Rendell was preferred to Lewis Haldane. Meanwhile, former Kidderminster defender Abdou Sall, Jamie Gosling and Simeon Howell were all handed starts.

Scott Rogers and Luke Graham returned to the bench and Sekani Simpson was missing due to injury.

Meanwhile,the Nailsworth side could only call on four substitutes as a raft of injuries hampered selection with Simpson joining Damon Searle, Bruno Teixeria, Matt Gadsby, Mark Beesley and Ian Foster on the treatment table, coupled with Mark Danks' recent loan move to Bromsgrove Rovers.

It was Kiddy who almost drew first blood, but Wayne Hatswell, the former Forest Green favourite saw his strike clip the bar.

Having started with a 3-5-1-1 formation Gary Owers and Shaun Taylor quickly returned to a traditional 4-4-2. It worked. Rovers grabbed the lead on 19 minutes. Alex Meechan won a free-kick, and it was left to Paul Wanless, who rifled in a 25-yard strike that took a deflection off the Kidderminster wall and beyond John Danby, allowing Wanless to claim his fifth goal of an increasingly productive season.

With Adam Garner and Simeon Howell catching the eye, Rovers increased their lead on 34 minutes. Meechan's cross was spilled by Danby for Abbey to pounce and slot home.

After the break Hatswell again hit the post, but Kiddy gave themselves hope on 73 minutes. Substitute Simon Heslop picked out Iyseden Christie, who beat former Harriers keeper Clarke.

However, within a minute Rovers were 3-1 up. Former West Brom defender Daryl Burgess allowed Abbey to claim his second with a sweet chip over the desperate Danby.