Forest Green 2 (Smith 27, Low 56) Rochdale 0 - Full Time Report

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Adam Le Fondre lines up a shot.

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Rochdale were comprehensively ousted from the FA Cup by conference side Forest Green who bettered Dale in every department.

Goals either side of half time, from Jonathan Smith and Josh Low, saw them comfortably through and the win was so easy for the home side that it was embarrassing for the league club.

As badly as Dale played, Forest Green rose to the challenge and deservedly led at the break and Low’s goal midway through the second half rubber stamped the win. The home side’s lead could have been a clearer one but for some last ditch Dale defending and some sharp work from Sam Russell.

A shaky start for the visitors and Forest Green almost had a goal within ten seconds as Andy Mangan latched onto a threw ball and got past Sam Russell in the Dale goal. The striker took his time but could not pick out a colleague in the box for an easy finish.

Dale settled and earned a couple of chances of their own with Adam Le Fondre and Ciaran Toner narrowly missing the target.

Forest Green were playing by far the better stuff and it was no surprise when they took the lead. Paul Stonehouse drove down the left flank to get in a cross, which was superbly dummied by Josh Lowe to leave Jonathan Smith plenty of time to pick his spot.

The Dale backline were at sixes and sevens and Mangan could have doubled Forest Green’s lead when he got the better of Marcus Holness on the left touchline to go in on goal. Rory McArdle did well to get back and block the striker’s close range shot.

Dale introduced Jon Shaw in place of Kallum Higgingbotham at half time to go three up front and finally Dale were able to exert some pressure on Burton in the Forest Green goal. It came in the form of five successive corners, the last of which saw Lee Thorpe’s header superbly headed off the line by Stonehouse.

The home side turned the spell of pressure into attack by marching up the other end and doubling their lead as Low went clear with all the time in the world to pick his spot beyond Russell.

The home side were carving Dale open at will and one move saw them string near 15 passes together before a cross was placed perfectly onto the head of Mangan, who drew a superb save from Russell at full stretch.

The home side sat on their lead and Dale were able to advance but their miserable afternoon continued when Le Fondre had a goal chalked off by an eagle eyed linesman who spotted a shirt pull.

Dale never really looked like denting Forest Green’s lead. Only when Le Fondre beat a couple of men did they even register a shot on goal, Mark Jones’ drive flying comfortably wide. 

Attendance: 1715

Forest Green: Burton, Stonehouse, Jones, Gill, Clist, Mangan (Mohamed 72), Platt, Smith (Rigoglioso 90), Fowler, Low (Thomas 83), Kempson.
Subs (not used): Robinson, Afful, Preece, McDonald.

Booked: Smith

Rochdale: Russell, Ramsden, Kennedy, Holness, McArdle, Buckley (Jones 64), Toner, Keltie, Higginbotham (Shaw 45), Le Fondre, Thorpe.
Subs (not used): Stanton, Thompson, Rundle, D’Laryea, Spencer.