Altrincham 0

Forest Green 1

FOREST Green, bookies favourites for the Vanarama National League, opened the new campaign with a first day victory at Altrincham.

Hit-man Jon Parkin started the season with a bang as last season’s top scorer nodded home the only goal of the game on 73 minutes.

Earlier, boss Ady Pennock was forced to switch right-back Dale Bennett to the middle of the back-four after Darren Jones (calf) had his third spell in a Rovers shirt put on hold.

Starting debuts were handed to former Newport County striker Aaron O’Connor, and ex-Hartlepool goalkeeper Jonny Maxted.

Meanwhile, marquee signing Keanu Marsh-Brown was named on the bench alongside summer recruit from Lincoln City, Delano Sam-Yorke.

Pennock opted to hand striker Parkin the armband ahead of club captain David Pipe.

Forest Green edged the chances in the first half, but were indebted to goalkeeper Maxted, who stood up well.

Rovers dominated the second half with a flurry of corners and broke the deadlock with 17 minutes to go as Elliott Frear's corner was met deftly by Parkin.

FOREST GREEN: Maxted; Pipe, Bennett, Racine, Kelly; Guthrie, Wedgbury, Sinclair, Frear (Marsh-Brown 85); Parkin, O'Connor (Sam-Yorke 80).

Subs not used: Jennings, Kamdjo, White.

Star Man: Rob Sinclair.

Attendance: 975.

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