TWO first half goals helped Forest Green to victory against Shortwood United in a well contested all-Nailsworth affair at Meadowbank on Monday, writes Richard Joyce.

James Norwood and Omar Koroma struck in the heat for David Hockaday’s side to make it three wins from three pre-season run outs.

Shortwood had opportunities, most notably early in the second half, to try and salvage something from the game, but the gulf between the two sides proved to be a deciding factor.

Rovers’ supporters were treated to their first sight of summer midfield addition Anthony Barry, who had recovered from a groin problem, while Shortwood handed home debuts to their new trio of Sam Avery, Tom Warren and Adam Mace.

Last season when the two sides met Rovers put five past their near neighbours, and although it wasn’t a similar story this year, Shortwood no doubt feared the worst when the game’s first major talking point was Forest Green’s opening goal.

Jared Hodgkiss provided a perfectly weighted cross that was met by the head of a lively Norwood ten minutes in that flew past Tom King into the back of the net.

The England C youngster almost doubled Rovers lead minutes later but King made a brave stop. Meanwhile the Shortwood keeper had the woodwork to thank midway through the first half for denying Ben Wright from netting his first pre-season goal.

King saved comfortably from Magno Vieira’s tame drive but he couldn’t stop Koroma from sealing a second goal for the visitors five minutes before the break.

Wright’s lofted forward ball was controlled brilliantly by the Gambia international who stroked a finish past King to settle the match in Rovers favour.

The second half lacked the drama that had been provided in the opening forty five minutes, but the drama that was present in the second period came firstly from the hosts.

Joe Tustain’s break down the right saw the former Bishop’s Cleeve attacker tee up Tim Haddock but he could only fire wide of Sam Russell’s previously untouched goal.

It was Tustain again who put together Shortwood’s best chance of the night as his dash from a tight angle ended with a powerful blast that Russell managed to glove away for a corner.

The hosts had certainly added some influence to proceedings in the second half but Rovers had opportunities to extend their lead right near the end.

Yan Klukowksi’s corner was met strongly by the head of Matty Taylor who saw his attempt on goal smash against the crossbar and it was the former who unleashed one final effort from the evening which ultimately dragged wide.

SHORTWOOD: T King, J Coates, S Avery, M Pritchett, M Bennett, T Haddock, T Warren, J Cant, R Langworthy, K Slack, L Harding, C Brown, A Axton, R Hancock, A Mace, J Tustain

FGR: S Russell, J Hodgkiss, J Turley, D Bennett, C Stokes, M Kelly, A Bangura, M Vieira, B Wright, O Koroma, J Norwood, S Williams, E Oshodi, P Green, Y Klukowski, A Barry, M Taylor, D Wright, A Mangan, S Bevan, A Trialist, A Trialist

Referee: D. McMillan

Attendance: 297