FOREST Green were red hot as they cruised to an opening pre-season victory in their annual pre-season friendly against Brimscombe at the Meadow last night.

A brace apiece for James Norwood and the returning Andy Mangan, coupled with an Omar Koroma strike and Brimscombe own goal, settled a comfortable affair for David Hockaday's side who host League One Swindon Town on Friday.

The majority of Rovers squad were given their first run out of the season with just Aarran Racine, Reece Styche, Anthony Barry, Kieron Forbes and Stephen Brogan sitting out while former Tamworth midfielder Marcus Kelly, on trial, impressed in midfield.

And, it was his excellent through ball that saw Norwood put Rovers in front early on as Brimscombe shipped in to their own net minutes later. A fine 25-yard strike from Norwood made it three as a raft of half time changes saw Korom

a produce a solid finish early in the second half. Mangan then bagged himself a brace with a terrifically placed header from a Chris Stokes cross and simple tap in made it six against the plucky Hellenic Premier Division newcomers.