NATIONAL LEAGUE

FOREST GREEN 5

SOUTHPORT 1

FOREST GREEN made it five wins out of five as Mark Cooper’s title-chasing side made short shrift of Southport to top the National League table.

And it was the icing on the cake for chairman Dale Vince, after his side delivered him the perfect birthday present.

Five-star Rovers went top on goal difference from Tranmere Rovers, who entertain basement side Guiseley later tonight.

First half goals from Kieffer Moore, Mo Chemlal got Rovers up and running. Southport scored five minutes after the break, but Charlie Clough’s header ended any lingering worries and Moore bagged his second and sub Rhys Murphy added a late fifth as Rovers made it nine goals in three days .

Confident Cooper made a raft of changes from the team that crushed Maidstone on Saturday.

In came Kieffer Moore, Matt Tubbs, Charlie Clough, Mo Chemlal and Elliott Frear. Goalscorers Darren Carter, Rhys Murphy and Christian Doidge dropped to the bench and Keanu Marsh-Brown and Ben Jefford were rested.

In a seven-game month, it Rovers who were almost caught cold from the whistle, but Sam Russell showed his agility to touch over from a Louis Almond fizzer from 25 yards.

But it was Rovers who had the ball in the net just minutes later – Charlie Clough nodding in from a well-worked corner ,but his muted celebrations were cut short due to an offside flag.

But goals flowed soonafter. Rovers nosed ahead on six minutes – Moore planting a delicious header beyond Swindon Town loanee Tyrell Belford from a curling Liam Noble free-kick delivery. The goal tide continued – Moore picking out Chemlal for a ninth-minute second.

Rovers were rampant – Moore volleying against the post from a sumptuous Drissa Traore pass.

Belford spared Southport’s blushes with strong hands from a Frear stinger after Noble and Tubbs had traded passes.

Rovers had bossed the first period, but Southport got back into the game on 50 minutes with Ady Bishop glancing home from a Ross White cross.

Southport had found their feet as Rovers wobbled. Russell had to be at his best to touch James Caton’s 25-yard rocket over the bar and then produced cat like reflexes to claw a Bishop shot wide.

Rovers responded. Noble’s free-kick was missed by Belford, but Josh Thompson cleared off the line.

A collective sigh of Rovers’ relief was ushered when Clough glanced home from Noble’s 61st-minute corner, with the help of a touch from sub Fabien Robert – his first touch after his arrival 30 seconds earlier.

Rovers were back at it. Ethan Pinnock embarked on a leggy run from the back which ended with Robert drawing a save from Belford.

Russell touched a distance Caton strike over the bar as Southport looked for a consolation.

However, Moore bagged his second and Rovers’ fourth on 78 minutes as his towering header just inside the box beat Belford following a peach cross from the wand of mowhawk man Noble.

And the man with the daft haircut conjured a fifth on 87 minutes for sub Murphy to make it five with four minutes to go.

Forest Green: (4-1-3-2) Russell; Bennett, Pinnock, Clough, Racine; Traore (Carter, 64) ; Noble, Frear, Chemlal (Murphy, 71); Tubbs (Robert, 60), Moore.

Subs not used: Lefebvre, Doidge.

Attendance: 1,621

Away: 66

Star Man: Liam Noble. Bossed it for Rovers.