Forest Green Rovers v Torquay United – Tuesday 30th Sept

[Colorado Gull]

Forest Green Rovers v Torquay United – Tuesday 30th September 2014 – 7.45 pm kick off

After the shock 4-3 defeat to AFC Telford United last Saturday, the Gulls are looking to bounce straight back to winning ways on Tuesday night against the team from Nailsworth near Gloucestershire, Forest Green Rovers, the longest serving Conference Premier team. Every United fan is hoping the Telford game was a blip in our winning ways as they make the 252.8 mile round trip to the New Lawn Stadium.

Forest Green Rovers has EMS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) which is a voluntary environmental management instrument, legislated from the European Commission of the European Union. EMAS EU regulation must be secured in order for an organisation to achieve this. 52 articles, chapter V and annex’s I-VIII of the legislation of EMS regards the environment rights. Bloody hell that will be boring to read, let’s get on with the football.
The club appointed Frank Gregan as their new manager in 1994 and the club enjoyed two successive promotions in 1997 and 1998 through the Southern League into the Football Conference. In the club's first season in the Conference they finished 12th. A run to the final of the FA Trophy saw them lose 1–0 at Wembley Stadium to Kingstonian. The appearance in the Trophy final made Forest Green the first club in history to have appeared in both the FA Vase final and FA Trophy final. They went on to appear in the FA Cup First Round for the first time, defeating Guiseley 6–0 to set up a home tie with Torquay United, which they lost 3–0.

Forest Green Rovers have won the FA Vase in the 1981–1982 season, Southern League Premier Division champions 1997–98, Southern League Southern Division champions 1996–97, Hellenic League champions 1981–82. Their best finish in the Conference Premier was 8th in the 2007-2008 season, the same season Torquay United were relegated to the Conference for the first time. They’ve reached the FA Trophy final twice and reached the 3rd round of the FA Cup twice also.

The New Lawn Stadium has a capacity of 5,140 (2,000 seated) and situated on the western edge of the picturesque Cotswold town of Nailsworth. The name Forest Green is taken from the area of the town where the clubs home is found. The ground is sited on top of a fairly steep hill and quite exposed to the elements; so warm clothing is advised when visiting. Technically the new ground does not have an official name at the moment as the Club are hoping to attract a corporate sponsor to purchase the naming rights to the stadium. In the meantime, the ground has been dubbed 'The New Lawn'. The stadium is dominated by the smart looking Western Thermal Stand at one side of the pitch. This 2,000 all seated capacity stand, has a cantilever roof as well as row of executive boxes running across the back of it. Opposite is a small open terrace, which is only seven steps high. Running along the back of this terrace are 4 floodlight pylons. Surprisingly the team dugouts have been located at this side of the pitch, rather than where you would have expected in front of the Main Stand. Interestingly both ends have to different degrees been relocated from the old Lawn to the new ground. At the Nympsfield Road end of the ground, is a covered terrace, the roof of which came from the Barnfield Road side of the old ground. Opposite is the EESI Stand, which until recently was a covered all seated stand, but has now had the seats removed to make it a terrace for home fans. This stand is of interest as it was the Trevor Horsley Stand which was transported from the Club's old ground and re-erected at the New Lawn.

This season the Club have decided to move away fans from the EESI Stand, to the Nympsfield Terrace at the opposite end of the ground. This is good news if you prefer to stand on a terrace, as the EESI Stand was previously all seated. The Nympsfield or North Terrace to give its official name, holds around 900 fans. In addition around 250 seats are made available to visiting fans in the North Stand. Entrance to the ground is via electronic turnstiles, meaning that you need to scan your ticket to gain admittance. This is somewhat of a novelty at this level. In the 2007-2008 season, Torquay fans packed out the entire Western Thermal Stand and did hold the highest attendance for Forest Green Rovers, until Derby County changed that in 2009 in the FA Cup 3rd round, with an attendance of nearly 5,000. United will be behind the goal and should be able to create a good atmosphere.

Where to drink? The best option for a drink though is in the clubs own bar, the Green Man, which is built into the back of the Main Stand. This bar serves real ale, hot food and has a number of televisions showing televised sports. However, when a large away following is expected, then the Club reverts to allowing only home fans entrance to it. If you have a bit of time on your hands then there is the Village Inn on the A46 on the North side of the town. This CAMRA Good Beer Guide listed pub is also home to the Nailsworth Brewery. There are some other pubs and food outlets are at the bottom of the hill in Nailsworth, which is about a 15 minute walk down the hill. But unless you are rather fit then the walk back up to the ground is not for the faint hearted as it is up a steep hill.

How to get there and parking. When planning a trip here, don’t try and find Forest Green on your road map, look up Nailsworth, south of Stroud in Gloucestershire. The best way to approach is from the M5 and exit at junction 13 and head for Stroud on the A419. At Stroud turn onto the A46 towards Nailsworth. This will bring you into the centre of the town, when you reach the Information Centre take the first right at the mini roundabout which goes up a steep hill sign posted Forest Green. The Lawn is at the top of this hill. Turn left at the roundabout at the 'summit' into the Club car park, which holds 250 cars. The cost of parking is £3 per car. Please note though that this car park is often full an hour before kick-off. There is no railway station in Nailsworth itself. The nearest is in Stroud which is three miles away. I would therefore consider getting a taxi from the station to the ground and booking one back for your return.

Nympsfield Road Terrace: Adults £15, Over 65's £11, Under 21's/Students £7, Under 16's £4.

Programme: £2.50

Forest Green Rovers sit at 12th position with 19 points, playing 12 with a +4 goal difference. They did have 22 points but have had a three-point deduction and a £500 fine after being found guilty of fielding an ineligible player (Luke Oliver who joined the club from Bradford City in January), against Southport 9th August. This breached the Conference Premier Membership regulation, 6.3. As for the business on the pitch, the Rovers lost their last game against Barnet at home. Barnet scored in the 90th minute to pinch the three points, so this won’t be an easy game for the Gulls. Both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways. I’m not sure of what the line up will be for the home side, but here’s the side they had against Barnet:

01 Russell
05 Oliver
03 Stokes
26 Coles
10 Kelly (Frear - 77' )
19 Sinclair
02 Pipe Booked
08 Wedgbury
28 Jolley (Guthrie - 69' )
11 Hughes (Parkin - 77' )
07 Norwood

Substitutes
06 Bennett
15 Oshodi
17 Guthrie
18 Frear
20 Parkin

As for United, we will be without Toby Ajala and Aaron Downes as they both got sent off against Telford on Saturday. Downes will be out for three games as it was a straight red, but Pearce will finally get his opportunity. Luckily, we have a pretty good replacement for Ajala too, Courtney Cameron. It’s refreshing know that we have talented options for back up. Ricey and the whole defence have to be much better for Tuesday, we cannot concede four goals again, that is not on. We need to bounce straight back and bring the three points home! We’ll be strong going forward as ever, we just need that stability at the back and we should be fine. Here’s the side I think we will see on Tuesday:

Rice

Tonge
MacDonald
Pearce
Cruise

Chappell
Richards
Young
Cameron

Ofori-Acheampong
Bowman

Substitutes
Seabright
(Who will replace Pearce?)
Wakefield
Sullivan
Yeoman

It’s a Tuesday night and therefore a pain to get to for some, but the players really need the support. It’s Forest Green and therefore not too far, shouldn’t be back too late! Try and get to Forest Green and support the lads, it really does help! Sing your hearts out for the players, nonstop and let’s hope we all travel back home to Torquay with three more points.

COYY!

[lucy6lucy]

Very positive and your right we have decent back up for the 2 that got sent off. Just hope we practice how to defend a corner in training tomorrow morning. And I hope versey trains his number 1 that he is allowed to catch the ball.

[swindon gull]

At least we will get to sample the delights of the falafel wrap from the refreshment hut must b a first in English football! If u got an electric car bring it along as you can charge it up outside the ground. The away end is on the opposite end from my last visit there is to the right of the ticket office and not down the other end of the ground. No pay on the gate also U have to buy a ticket first from the ticket office to get you in.

[lucy6lucy]

At least we will get to sample the delights of the falafel wrap from the refreshment hut must b a first in English football! If u got an electric car bring it along as you can charge it up outside the ground. The away end is on the opposite end from my last visit there is to the right of the ticket office and not down the other end of the ground. No pay on the gate also U have to buy a ticket first from the ticket office to get you in.

Just like those Mansfield tossers, at least you can buy on the day

[Glostergull]

Forest Green Rovers v Torquay United – Tuesday 30th September 2014 – 7.45 pm kick off



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How to get there and parking. When planning a trip here, don’t try and find Forest Green on your road map, look up Nailsworth, south of Stroud in Gloucestershire. The best way to approach is from the M5 and exit at junction 13 and head for Stroud on the A419. At Stroud turn onto the A46 towards Nailsworth. This will bring you into the centre of the town, when you reach the Information Centre take the first right at the mini roundabout which goes up a steep hill sign posted Forest Green. The Lawn is at the top of this hill. Turn left at the roundabout at the 'summit' into the Club car park, which holds 250 cars. The cost of parking is £3 per car. Please note though that this car park is often full an hour before kick-off. There is no railway station in Nailsworth itself. The nearest is in Stroud which is three miles away. I would therefore consider getting a taxi from the station to the ground and booking one back for your return.

Nympsfield Road Terrace: Adults £15, Over 65's £11, Under 21's/Students £7, Under 16's £4.

Actually. ... That's not quite correct. He says in his best Independance day accent.
There is a Railway Station in Nailsworth. It was the headqaurters of the Stonehouse/Dudbridge and Nailwsorth Railway. The Main station Building in Nailsworth being where the boardroom was situated. This building still stands and is of a listed Status. The station was taken over years ago and converted into a very nice dwelling. It can be visited on certain occasions to view it as a lot of the old fittings have been preserved. So it is atill a station. The only bugbear is the track has long since disappeared to Stonhousee.
Incidentally you can catch a train to either Stonehouse or Stroud. Stroud station is a little further than three miles away, it's just over 5. But A bus can get you from the town center of Stroud to Nailsworth. on exiting the station turn left and go down the hill toward the main road out from the town cetner and under the railway bridge. Go donw to the multi storey Car park and Cinema. There is a bus stop rank outside where you will find the bus stop for the No46. that will take you all the way to Forest Green. Hopefully this will save you a huge walk up the hill. The buses run from Stroud at 4 minutes to the hour and take approx half an hour to go the distance as it goes into lots of little stops along the way.
Another bus also runs to FGR from Gloucester Via Stroud. The number 93. I have no timetable for this service readily to hand but it's run by Stagecoach in the Cotwlods.
The last bus is the Number 3. it's only a little local service which doe a couple of the small villages. I have no timestable for this service. But when getting on, make sure its going straight out to forest green and not the opposite direction or you could find yourself with a lengthy journey. This service is run by Cotswlod Green travel.
A taxi can get you from Stonehouse as it can take the direct route straight up Hill from Kings Stanley. that will cost more but will be a darned site quicker
Incidentaly. Although you can get th bus to FGR. They stop at 8pm so you will need to prevail on someone to get you back to the station or get a taxi. One of us who live up here may be able to help on that on.
Oh one small item about taking the train. As you will need to go to Glioucester to change trains it may be worth checking out times of trains to Cam and Dursley. That's even closer to Forest green as a taxi can take you straight up the hill and down the lane to"The New Lawn." You can change at Bristol Parkway and get the train that stops at Cam and Dursley and Yate. Otherwise it can take another hour to get there because of waiting for the connection to Stroud from Gloucester.. And cost a lot more. Further to that. when buying your ticket. look at spliting the journey. the border station for cheaper tickets is at Yate.(Bristol parkway if your train does not stop at Yate.. after yate the tickets cost a lot more.so getting a ticket to either Parkway or Yate. Then get another to Dursley or Stonehouse or Stroud. Shame I cant take you as i cannot drive. although you can put out an appeal to any Gloucester members who may help out from Gloucester. Please make sure you check times for train returning. Many stop after 9 and you may find its a more or less one way Journey. any more details. please ask

[Dockers Pal]

Would Briscoe and Hutchings be possibles for the bench?

[brucie]

What is the state of our injured players? - Benyon seems to have been injured all season. Much as last season Harding seems to get injured and then disappears for six months. Briscoe also seems to have gone awol.
Do all hamstring injuries last this long or are we missing Damien Davy?

[chippygull]

What's up with Briscoe (apart from being overweight?)

[goodluckgull]

Briscoe was at Telford on Saturday. He said he wasn't fit for that game but is close to starting soon, if picked. Ben Harding is able to run as much as he wants, but is only just starting to kick the ball again. Benners is also back in training.

[RussianGull]

Briscoe didn't look fit in the pre-match warm up on Saturday. Hopefully the chaps can redeem themselves, though not much time for MacD and Pearce to train together.

[Kit_robin]

Pearce is best player at the club so have no problem with him coming in, but only small problem is the gap Downes has vacated is on the left side of defence. MacD has played all season on the right, and Pearce has only played on the right that I've seen.

ANY decent CB should be able to play on either side, so not a major problem but might make the first game back more troublesome than otherwise.

I actually think we have missed Briscoe. Obviously he's not as, er, dynamic as our other wingers, but he has excellent ball retention and technique. There have been games this season when I think we've needed someone like him to help keep the ball a bit better.

[Scott Brehaut]

Briscoe didn't look fit in the pre-match warm up on Saturday. Hopefully the chaps can redeem themselves, though not much time for MacD and Pearce to train together.

I'm hoping that they have all trained with each other throughout the season, in case of situations like this.

[tomogull]

Ben Harding is able to run as much as he wants .......

Very well worded, goodluckgull. So far in the 14 months he's been at Plainmoor, he hasn't looked as if he wants to run very much .........

[berkshire yellow]

Will I 100% be able to buy tickets at the ground then? Just has to be at the ticket office?

[arcadia]

Will I 100% be able to buy tickets at the ground then? Just has to be at the ticket office?

That's what I read and I'm going!