Forest Green Back At Sutton
- Mark Bravery
- Mar 13, 2017
- 2 min read
For the second time this season Sutton United host Forest Green Rovers, as this Tuesday evening (14 March) the sides meet in what promises to be a compelling National League fixture.
It was against Forest Green back in October that Sutton's FA Cup adventure began. In a final qualifying round match at Gander Green Lane, Liam Noble scored for Rovers before an equaliser from Ross Stearn and a very late winner from Roarie Deacon saw Sutton through to the first round proper.
The two sides met in the league at Forest Green in August when Matt Tubbs put Rovers ahead only for a Nicky Bailey penalty to earn Sutton their first point back at this level.
The ambitious Gloucestershire club, owned by green energy magnate (and prominent vegan) Dale Vince, finished second in the league last season but lost to Grimsby Town in the play-off final. This season they led the table through much of the autumn but are now third, having lost 2-1 at promotion rivals Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday. They remain the division's leading scorers with 72 goals in 35 games.
The visiting squad may include Dan Wishart, the talented left-sided player sold by Sutton to Forest Green in October, and recent signing and prolific striker Omar Bugiel who in January scored against Sutton for Worthing in the FA Trophy.
Sutton are unbeaten in four matches, and can welcome back Deacon, Craig Eastmond and Simon Downer who have all completed the suspensions that kept them out of Saturday's 2-2 draw with York City. Ross Worner's injury now looks like keeping him out into next month, so Bristol Rovers loanee Will Puddy will continue in goal.
This match was postponed from early February when both teams were still involved in the Trophy. Sutton lie 16th in the table, but three points would lift them to 12th or 13th.