After getting past Slough in the Emirates FA Cup with a seven-goal showing at Blundell Park on Tuesday, the Mariners return to Sky Bet League Two action tomorrow afternoon with another trip south to take on Forest Green Rovers (3pm kick-off).
The outing will be the team’s third under the interim charge of Ben Davies and Shaun Pearson, a partnership that thus far has steered the side in a three-match unbeaten run with eleven goals scored in that time.
Team News
Shaun Pearson spoke to the media this week as the team prepared for the trip to Gloucestershire and revealed that Harry Clifton will miss out this weekend with a short-term calf issue.
He further added that, while Michee Efete will continue to be absent, midfielder Evan Khouri returned to training on Thursday after being absent with an ankle problem.
The team picked up no fresh injury concerns against Slough on Tuesday and Davies and Pearson were able to welcome Callum Ainley back into action from the bench.
Forest Green
Relegated from League One last season, Forest Green have had a tough start to life back in the fourth tier and currently find themselves in the relegation zone.
Manager David Horseman joined the Club in the summer, making the move after taking charge of Southampton’s B team for four years from 2019.
After their relegation, Forest Green recruited heavily in the summer with twelve permanent signings and five loan deals secured.
Their summer business included the free signing of former Coventry right-back Fankaty Dabo, Swindon Town defender Marcel Lavinier and Charlton centre-back Ryan Inniss.
August also saw them bring in former Premier League striker Troy Deeney on a free transfer from Birmingham City with the 35-year-old taking on the role of player-coach. He has scored four goals for Forest Green so far, including a hat-trick in a 4-3 defeat at Notts County in September.
Mathew Stevens is currently their top scorer this season with five goals to his name while 24-year-old Kyle McAllister is leading their assists chart with four so far.
Form
Tomorrow’s hosts currently find themselves sitting in 23rd place in the league, behind Tranmere Rovers one place higher on goal difference. The Mariners themselves sit in 21st but with a four-point advantage over Forest Green.
On the same night the Mariners defeated Slough 7-2, Rovers beat Scarborough 5-2 in their own FA Cup First Round replay.
In the league, however, Forest Green have just four victories to their name this season – two of which have come in their last two home fixtures with a 2-1 victory over Crawley Town coming a fortnight after a 5-0 win against Colchester United, both at The Bolt New Lawn. They have lost every other home match this season.
The Mariners head into the match following back-to-back home victories, including our triumph over Slough in midweek, and on a three-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Tomorrow sees the Mariners not only seeking to add to that run, but victory would give the team their first away victory of the season while also sealing back-to-back league victories for the first time since March.
Coverage
With this match falling in an international break, overseas and UK viewers will be able to watch the action live on Mariners TV for just £10 with match passes available HERE.
UTM
