FOREST GREEN ROVERS 4

WELLING UNITED 1

FOREST Green's resurgent new year form continued with a masterclass display to post back-to-back wins and nudge themselves two points shy of the play-offs.

In-form Jon Parkin made it 16 for the season with a second successive brace and goals from Kurtis Guthrie and James Norwood added the gloss to another impeccable performance.

Earlier, Forest Green boss Ady Pennock named an unchanged side from the team that thumped Kidderminster Harriers on New Year's Day.

Transfer window signing Stuart Fleetwood had to be content with a place on the bench following his return to his old stomping ground from Conference play-off rivals Eastleigh.

Rovers started full of vim and vigour in the murky New Lawn conditions. Parkin forced the back-pedalling Jonathan Henly to glove his header onto the bar from a Rob Sinclair corner.

But it was Pennock's former club, who nosed ahead in their first meaningful foray in the 20th minute, Joe Healy cut through the heart of a statuesque Rovers' middle to finish with aplomb.

Rovers are a resilient unit these days and found parity within two minutes. Guthrie won a free-kick and Sinclair caught the Wings cold to find the jet-heeled Elliott Frear on the left and his arrowed ball into the box allowed Parkin time to prod beyond Henly.

Welling responded with the impressive Healy curling over from a good position. However, Rovers slipped back into gear with Clovis Kamdjo wrestling possession and releasing the irrepressible Norwood, who stepped on the gas to unleash a thumping strike, which Henly did well to beat away.

Rovers swept forward. Kamdjo saw his fizzing strike saved and Parkin went close, but Aarran Racine should have nosed his side ahead when he directed a header over the bar following a Guthrie assist from a Matrcus Kelly corner.

On the cusp of the break Norwood and Guthrie linked up for Parkin to see his strike charged down and then seconds later a torpedo Sam Russell kick found Frear who scampered forward to feed Dale Bennett, who saw his shot desperately blocked by a combinstion of Henly and Ben Jefford's clearance off the line.

Rovers were at it at the start of the second half with that man Norwood cutting in from the left to let a fizzer fly wide from 25 yards.

Frear was having a field day down the left and his wing wizardry conjured a 55th minute second as Parkin planted a firm header in through the fog.

Ten minutes later it was 3-1, Bennett attacted with intent down the right for the leaping Guthrie to net against his former club with a sumptuous header at full-stretch.

It was all Rovers and Parkin was a whisker from completing a hat-trick when Henly's attempted clearance was charged down by the willing Guthrie, but the burly striker saw his open goal floated attempt drop wide of the post.

Fleetwood was given a warm welcome when he appeared as 74th minute substitute, and he played his part in the fourth goal. Kamdjo fed Norwood who traded passes with Fleetwood to dink the ball neatly over Henly and draw level as Rovers' all time record goalscorer alongside Yan Klukowski.

Forest Green: S. Russell; D. Bennett, A. Racine, L. Oliver, M. Kelly; J. Norwood (S. Wedgbury 81), R. Sinclair, C. Kamdjo, E. Frear; J. Parkin (S. Fleetwood 74), K. Guthrie (L. Hughes 81).

Subs not used: C. Stokes, P. White.

Welling United: J. Henly; H. Osborne, J. Fyfield, C. Bush, B. Jefford; J. Gallagher, Z. Fagan (S. Corne 82). Carmichael; A. Baselle (R. Young 69), C. Penny, J. Healy (R. Harris 46).

Subs not used: J. Zerafa, K. St Aimie.

Referee: A. Bromley (Plymouth)

Attendance: 1,147

Star man: James Norwood-ran the game.