FORERST GREEN 1

WEST BROM U21S 0

KURTIS Guthrie’s second half goal was enough to give Forest Green a confidence boosting win over West Brom Under -21s.

With 11 days to the National League season opener, manager Ady Pennock isn’t giving any clues away to his starting line-up at Altrincham, but his pick for West Brom could be a strong indicator.

The match lacked any early intensity and it took 11 minutes for the match to garner any momentum. Jon Parkin touched a ball to Keanu Marsh-Brown for his cross  to be cleared by defender Jack Fitzwater.

From the corner the eager Sam Delano-Yorke failed to get a clean strike on goal.

Albion responded. Tyler Roberts worked an opening, but fizzed over Jonny Maxted’s bar.

However, Rovers' Aarran Racine, sporting a head bandage, nodded over from a Marcus Kelly cross after the ball had dropped to Parkin.

The best opportunity of the half fell to Aaron O’Connor,  who raced on to a lofted midfield pass from Sam Wedgbury, but  dragged his shot wide of goalkeeper Jack Rose.

Back came the Baggies. Jonathan Leko cut a swathe through Rovers defence, but  Tahon Campbell failed to match the smart approach play with a tame strike.

Rovers huffed and puffed. Sam-Yorke stepped on the gas on 42 minutes, but Parkin was blocked as he shaped to shoot.

On the cusp of the interval Parkin released Marsh-Brown who rolled  the ball across an unpopulated box.

The predictable pre-season raft of half-time changes saw five Rovers’ changes.

Rovers started on the front-foot.  Guthrie was inches away from two goals inside the opening minute of the half as he failed to get purchase on crosses from Marsh-Brown and Kelly respectivley.

Corby Moore was gifted a chance on 52 minutes, but his clean strike lacked direction after a wayward Albion pass afforded him the chance.

Rovers were at it. Marsh-Brown shot into Rose’s gloves from an Elliott Frear pass.

Rovers introduced four more fresh faces on the hour. Louis McGory added some cut and thrust and Marsh-Brown was starting to find his feet as his curler from 25 yards brought a routine stop from Rose.

Maxted stood up well to a Samir Nabi stab as young Albion flickered into attacking life.

Andre Wright skipped down Rovers’ left-side and rattled the side-netting with Rovers caught cold.

Rovers riposte saw James Jennings triy the spectacular from 30 yards.

Marsh-Brown’s impressive work ended on 75  minutes. Two minutes later Frear fizzed a ball across the box with Guthrie appearing to getting a touch to score the only goal of the game.

Forest Green: J. Maxted; D. Bennett, D. Jones, A. Racine, M. Kelly; D. Sam-Yorke, S. Wedgbury, R. Sinclair, K. Marsh-Brown; J. Parkin, A. O'Connor.

Subs all used: P. White, A. Baldwin, C. Clough, T. Bender, J. Jennings, D. Pipe, C. Kamdjo, E. Frear, C. Moore, K. Guthrie, L. McGrory.

West Bromwich Albion: J. Rose; J. Ezewele, K. Howkins, J. Fitzwater, R. McCourt; J. Leko, J. Ward, S. Nabi, T. Campbell; T. Roberts, Z. Elbouzedi.

Subs: M. Hall, A. Wright, B. Sweeney, S. Field, D. Barbir.

Referee: R. Martin (Somerset).

Attendance: 800.

Star man: Keanu Marsh-Brown - got better and better.