Bermudian Dale Eve helped guide Forest Green Rovers to the Gloucestershire Senior Cup Final, Forest Green got two goals apiece from front line duo of Brett Williams and Kieffer Moore.
Williams scored two times before the break, and Moore also added two fine goals after half time, to earn Jamie Day and Scott Bartlett’s side a final against either Bishop’s Cleeve or Slimbridge.
Football League outfit Bristol Rovers included Lee Mansell, Willy Puddy and international duo Jake Gosling and Rory Fallon in their starting XI.
FGR’s starting XI consisted of seven first team players joined by several members of the Academy set-up who once again demonstrated their exciting potential.
A slow start saw the hosts force the first telling opportunity, as Jay Malpas was denied by a good Eve stop after the Bristol Rovers midfielder had nicked the ball outside the area.
And Eve was again in action minutes later when he produced a good stop to deny Blake Davies.
Within seconds of the Bermuda internationals save Forest Green went in front with the first of Williams’ excellent finishes.
He was set clear down the middle and he fired calmly past the on rushing Puddy.
After New Zealand international Fallon had headed two good chances wide towards the end of the half, FGR extended their lead with another fine Williams finish.
The gap between the two sides could have been increased further only minutes after half time.
Second year defender Macauley Dodson rose brilliantly to meet Anthony Jeffrey’s excellent cross, but his attempt zipped just inches over the bar.
And Marcus Kelly then stung the gloves of Puddy with a well-crafted left footed hit only a couple of minutes later.
The Football League side ensured they’d quickly punish FGR for not taking their early second half chances however when Davies powered in a quick-fire brace.
His first on 52 minutes came when he seized on the ball in the box, while the leveler saw the young forward finish well past a helpless Eve.
Two brilliant goals in quick succession from Moore restored FGR’s two goal advantage minutes later.
He firstly finished off Jeffrey’s stunning cross at the near post, and then produced a fine finish four minutes later past the outstretched dive of Puddy.
Mehew was thrown on as a substitute by the hosts as they searched for a way back into the game, and the young forward, who is currently on loan at Shortwood United, notched with an easy finish in front of goal to add the games seventh goal.
The home side couldn’t snatch the late equalizer they need to take the clash through to penalty kicks though, and Forest Green Rovers held on, to make it to the final.
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