Forest Green move five points clear at the top of the Vanarama National League with an emphatic victory over Guiseley

GUISELEY 0

ON the day Forest Green went all-out vegan, Ady Pennock’s side served up a meaty performance to climb five points clear at the top of the Vanarama National League.

Rovers proved too strong for Guiseley as goals from Elliott Frear, Jon Parkin and a sensational strike from super-sub Aaron O’Connor made it back-to-back 3-0 victories in a week for the title hunters.

Earlier, Guiseley started brightly - Wayne Brooksby serving notice of intent with a strike from distance, which flashed beyond Jonny Maxted’s post.

Rovers responded – Keanu Marsh-Brown fizzing over and Darren Jones firing off target.

However, Rovers survived a let-off when Maxted’s clearance fell to Adam Boyes, but Maxted redeemed himself with a plunging save.

Rovers almost broke the deadlock on 23 minutes. Frear and Parkin released Marsh-Brown, who looked like he had brought the ball down with his arm as he fired into keeper Steven Drench.

Moments later George Maris beat Dale Bennett on the byeline and his ball into the danger zone wasn’t gobbled up by the Yorkshire outfit.

Nonetheless, Rovers nosed ahead. Parkin arrowed over a cross from the right for Frear, who took the ball on his chest and rifled home  a 25th minute opener.

Rovers were rocking. Darren Carter’s header saw Kurtis Guthrie shoot into a relieved Drench.

Frear was catching the eye and his cut- back found Parkin, who watched his strike deflected wide.

Rob Sinclair was pulling the strings for Rovers and Guiseley’s frustration saw Gavin Rotherty booked for a lunge on the impressive midfielder.

Rovers were forced to reshuffle at the break with captain Darren Jones (hamstring) hobbling off for Charlie Clough.

They resumed on the front-foot and Parkin had the ball in the net via his hands on 51 minutes, but any goal claims were quickly curtailed.

However, Guiseley remained a threat, but Maxted did well to block a Maris stab from a Brooksby cross.

The self-destruct button was pushed on 55 minutes.

Rotherty took the legs of Guthrie and Parkin made no mistake from the penalty spot  to fool Drench for his fifth goal of the season.

Rovers wrapped the game up on 77 minutes with a goal of sumptuous quality. O’Connor had only been on the pitch 15 seconds when he took a touch on his thigh to unleash a thunderbolt beyond the helpless Drench to take his tally to eight for the season.

Guiseley were finished and only a Drench dash from his line stopped Parkin making it four from a Marsh-Brown pass.

Lions sub Liam Dickinson saw a shot come back off the post following a Maxted block and sub Sam Wedgbury cleared the follow-up of the line.

Maxted bagged another clean sheet with a good save from Nick Boshell at his near-post.

Rovers finished the game with 10 fit players after Parkin picked up a hamstring injury but he remained on the pitch with all the subs already used.

Forest Green: Maxted; Bennett, Jones (Clough 46), Racine, Kelly; Marsh-Brown, Sinclair (Wedgbury 72), Carter, Frear; Parkin, Guthrie (O'Connor 77).

Subs not used: Pipe, Eve.

Attendance: 1,749.

Away fans: 60.

Star Man: Rob Sinclair.