‘Magnificent' Rovers Go Top Of Tree

Cooper delight as side take derby spoils

- Jon Palmer

FOREST Green Rovers moved top of the League Two table with a thoroughly-deserved derby win over Cheltenham Town.

The damage was done in the first half with goals from Jack Aitchison and Elliott Frear putting Rovers in command, before Luke Varney pulled one back after the break.

But Forest Green had done enough to end Cheltenham’s 17-match unbeaten home run that stretched back to January.

And victorious manager Mark Cooper struggled to contain his delight.

“I thought the players were magnificent and the supporters were magnificent,” he said.

“We keep talking about performances and when you play at a level like we did, then you have a big chance of winning.

“It’s brilliant, great for the club, great for the fans and the players. We’ve been here a couple of times now.

“The key is trying to stay there, because everyone is shooting after you, but if we play like we did today, we should be all good.”

“The only time we rocked was when our keeper fumbled the ball on to their striker’s head.