Football: New-look Forest Green lose on opening day (From Gazette Series)

Blue Square Premier: Mansfield Town 3 Forest Green Rovers 1

6:52pm Monday 16th August 2010 in Sport

ONE poor result will certainly not shape a season, but Forest Green boss Dave Hockaday will expect this to be a one-off display from his new-look side.

Following the news that multi-millionaire Dale Vince had stepped in to boost funds, optimism was high ahead of this Conference season opener With an increased transfer kitty, Hockaday has now assembled his own team in his first full season at the helm. The former Watford coach was able to swoop for striker James Norwood, 19, on a month’s loan from Exeter City and draft in experienced center-back Gavin Caines, 26, who previously played more than 100 times in the Football League for Cheltenham Town.

Left-back Jamie Grimes, 19, was brought in from Championship side Swansea City on a month’s loan.

Earlier, Hockaday handed no fewer than nine starting debuts, but was missing Scott Bartlett, Jared Hodgkiss, Ross Dyer and Steve Davies.

All the goals came in the second half at Field Mill, with a brace for Caines’ former Cheltenham Town team-mate Paul Connor and a Gary Mills strike.

Forest Green’s James Bittner made two smart saves to keep out Adam Smith’s effort and the follow-up from Briscoe.

The opening goal came within two minutes of the restart; Gary Silk turned on the gas to fly past Grimes for Connor to bundle home.

However, four minutes later Caines ghosted free from Lee Fowler’s free-kick and headed into the top corner.

The home side restored their lead in the 57th minute.

Bittner felt he had been fouled by Connor when he dashed out to meet Silk’s cross, but his punch dropped for Mills to rifle into the empty net.

Caines was forced to clear off the line from Keigan Parker, while later he watched a snap-shot saved after Mansfield had failed to clear a free-kick.

Forest Green were killed off on 72 minutes when Connor latched onto former Forest Green target Tyrone Thompson’s pass to smash past Bittner.

Mansfield: Marriott, Silk, Foster, Chris Smith, Stonehouse, Briscoe, Mills, Thompson, Adam Smith (Cain 80), Connor (Istead 85), Parker (Medley 70).

Subs Not Used: Collett, Sandwith.

Booked: Medley.

Goals: Connor 47, Mills 57, Connor 72.

Forest Green: Bittner, Luke Jones, Caines, Grimes, Armstrong (Cleaver 86), Smith, Baldwin (Else 68), Klukowski, Lee Fowler, Styche (Mike Fowler 67), Norwood.

Star man: James Bittner.

Subs Not Used: Herring, Zak Jones.

Booked: Norwood, Lee Fowler.

Goals: Caines 52.

Att: 2,474.

Ref: Stephen Smith (County Durham).