FOREST GREEN 2

BROMLEY 1

SEVEN is perceived a magical number and this proved spot-on as National League pacesetters Forest Green posted a magnificent seventh successive victory to continue their stunning start to the embryonic stages of the season.

Much conjecture surrounded the goalscorers - James Jennings laying claim to Rovers’ goals and video evidence suggested he had a part in both despite Aarran Racine being credited with the opener in an action-packed Bank Holiday Monday first half.

Bromley presented a tough nut to crack, but Rovers were indebted to Jonny Maxted’s safe hands as he kept the league leaders in front with three inspirational saves.

Seven wins in August will  see manager Ady Pennock pick up the manager of the month gong and he used his tactical acumen to make changes from the team that played 48 hours earlier at Kidderminster.

Midfield conductor Rob Sinclair failed to recover from a knock to his knee and was replaced by Marcus Kelly.

Striker Delano Sam-Yorke came in for his first start of the season alongside the recalled Jon Parkin with speed kings Keanu Marsh-Brown and Kurtis Guthrie dropping to the bench. Darren Jones was afforded a place amongst the substitutes after missing the first six games with a groin injury.

It took two minutes for Rovers to muster their first shot in anger - Aaron O’Connor’s 25 yard strike demanded a flying save from Alan Julian.

Four minutes later and Rovers nosed ahead. An Elliott Frear corner was met by the leaping Racine who claimed the goal despite James Jennings claiming a touch on the way in.

Rovers lead lasted two minutes.The normally water-tight defence was breached for only the second time this season. Bromley – in their first meaningful attack netted parity with the roboust Alex Wall nodding over Jonny Maxted from a driven free-kick.

The Kent outfit almost grabbed the lead on 16 minutes - Moses Emmanuel unleashed a 25-yard thunderbolt, but his stunner was matched by an equally smart tip-over from Maxted.

Rovers were struggling to find their usual fluidity, but came close to regaining the lead on 27 minutes. David Pipe’s throw was flicked on by Parkin for Sam-Yorke’s short range stab to be gloved away by Julian.

Rovers were forced into a change on 36 minutes with defender Dale Bennett leaving the pitch with a suspected broken nose.

Bromley were showing more muscular intent, but it was Rovers who regained the lead on 42 minutes. A goalmouth scramble from a Marcus Kelly corner saw Sam-Yorke’s goal-bound strike turned over the line by Jennings.

Seconds later a Julian smother denied Kelly as Rovers finished the half on a high.

Rovers started the second half how they finished the first – Frear and O’Connor testing Julian in the opening two minutes.

Ill-luck in Rovers’ defence surfaced again with Jennings limping off on 50 minutes with a hamstring tweak allowing a fit again Jones the chance of a debut in his third spell at the club.

Two minutes on and Rovers were apoplectic with rage. Bromley’s Ali Fuseini appeared to trip O’Connor in the box, only for the referee to award a corner instead of the penalty Pennock’s side craved.

Defensive changes unseated Rovers and Bradley Goldberg was denied parity by the boot of Maxted. Goldberg was frustrated again with Maxted this time producing a superb double-save to preserve Rovers’ lead.

The game was becoming fractious. Clough, Kelly and Sam Wedgbury went into the book for Rovers and Paul Rodgers followed for Bromley.

Rovers rallied. Neat combination play from Parkin and Frear saw Julian claw a Parkin strike away and from the corner Charlie Clough nodded fractionally wide.

Marsh-Brown was introduced and he quickly made his mark with two shots from distance.

Parkin was inches away from a game over third from a sublime Jones pass and Julian blocked a Sam-Yorke strike in added time.

Forest Green: J Maxted, D Pipe (c), J Jennings (D Jones 50), A Racine, D Bennett (C Clough 36mins), M Kelly, S Wedgbury, A O’Connor (K Marsh-Brown 71), J Parkin, D Sam-Yorke, E Frear.

Subs not used: P White, K Guthrie.

Attendance: 1,764.

Away: 78.

Star Man: Jonny Maxted - denied Bromley a share of the spoils with three top-class saves.