Forest Green Rovers fans at The New Lawn were treated to a dramatic bank holiday afternoon as their side clinched a 1-0 victory over Eastleigh, securing their place at the top of the National League. It was a tense affair, with both teams showing grit and determination, but it took a moment of sheer brilliance from substitute Tom Knowles in stoppage time to break the deadlock and send the home crowd into raptures.
The match, played on August 25, 2025, was far from a walk in the park for Forest Green Rovers. Eastleigh arrived in Gloucestershire with a clear game plan: disrupt the home side's rhythm and frustrate their attacking ambitions at every turn. The visitors did their best to slow down proceedings, and for much of the afternoon, it looked like their tactics might just pay off. But football is a game of moments, and this contest was ultimately decided by one of the finest.
From the outset, Forest Green pressed for an early advantage. Jayden Clarke almost put his name on the scoresheet, forcing a sharp save from Eastleigh goalkeeper Nick Townsend. Not to be outdone, Eastleigh's Kieron Evans responded with a dangerous effort that tested Forest Green's own shot-stopper, Luke McNicholas. The opening exchanges set the tone for a tightly contested battle, with both sides probing but neither able to find the breakthrough.
Kyle McAllister, always lively in midfield for the Rovers, volleyed over the bar as the first half wore on. The tension in the stands was palpable, with the 2,203-strong crowd—the largest attendance at The New Lawn in the opening three home fixtures—urging their team forward. The fans' energy was unmistakable, boosted by a 'kids go free' initiative that packed the stands with young supporters, all hoping to witness something special.
As the second half unfolded, Forest Green manager Robbie Savage began to shuffle his pack. Recognizing the need for a spark, he introduced Tom Knowles in the 54th minute and later sent on Yahya Bamba, who soon saw his own effort deflected wide. With ten minutes remaining, Savage made a bold tactical switch, deploying defender Ryan Inniss as an auxiliary striker alongside Harry Cardwell. It was an unorthodox move, suggested by assistant Dan Connor.
"It was Dan Connor who said, let’s stick big Ryan up front, I questioned it but he said that Inniss would be a threat. I don’t take any credit for that because it was my staff and Dan deserves huge credit today," Savage admitted after the match. The gamble paid off, unsettling the Eastleigh defense and paving the way for the late drama that was to come.
Eastleigh, for their part, remained resolute. Time and again, they slowed the game, looking to sap the momentum from the home side and perhaps snatch a point on the road. "Eastleigh’s game plan nearly worked but it didn’t because we showed another side to us like we did on Saturday," Savage noted, referencing his squad's resilience in the face of adversity.
With the match seemingly destined for a goalless draw, the fourth official signaled eight minutes of added time—a fair reflection, according to Savage, of Eastleigh's time-management tactics. Then, in the 94th minute, up stepped Tom Knowles. Awarded a free-kick some 25 yards from goal, Knowles surveyed his options. The Eastleigh defense and goalkeeper appeared to expect a cross, but Knowles had other ideas.
"The goal was a bit of off the cuff thinking, I think the goalkeeper has come out, trying to be a hero by claiming the cross and it left a big gap for me to aim for and thankfully it went in the back of the net," Knowles recounted, beaming after scoring his first league goal of the season. The ball flew past Townsend, nestling into the back of the net and sparking wild celebrations among the home faithful.
For Knowles, it was the culmination of a standout weekend. Just two days prior, he had notched two assists and claimed the man of the match award in Forest Green's victory over Halifax. "It’s not been a bad weekend at all but the most important thing is the team’s come out with six points and we’re in a healthy position in the league," he said, emphasizing the collective effort.
The win means Forest Green Rovers have now collected 13 out of a possible 15 points to start the 2025 season, a run that sees them sitting proudly atop the National League table. "We’ve had an unbelievable start," Savage declared, his pride in the group evident. "We weren’t at our best but we found a way and that’s what’s so great about this group. I told this group to be brave, be creative and to be positive and Knowles showed a creative spark and he won us all three points with a moment of genius."
But even with the victory, there were concerns for Savage and his staff. The manager revealed that the club is awaiting scan results for players Jili and Doidge, injuries that could influence their activity in the transfer market. "We’re waiting on the results of Jili and Doidge’s scans, we’ll find out in about an hour, and that will dictate whether we dip into the transfer market again," Savage explained. Despite his high profile, Savage was quick to downplay any celebrity status. "I am a hard working individual who loves football," he insisted.
The atmosphere at The New Lawn was electric throughout, with Savage taking time after the final whistle to connect with the supporters. "The fans have been brilliant, just look at how huge the crowd was here today. We had a ‘kids go free’ day and after the game I went and gave some shirts away but again, it was a brilliant atmosphere during and after the game. Last minute winners bring people back, Sutton was amazing, winning 4-0 it was outstanding, but they’ll go away happier today because of that last minute winner in such style and it’s the best way to win a game."
With the dust settling on a pulsating afternoon, Forest Green Rovers now turn their attention to their next challenge: an away trip to Braintree on Saturday, August 30. Savage knows it won’t be easy. "It’s going to be a tough place to go, the weather’s been really nice so the pitch will be dry, not like ours but we need to find a way to get something," he said, already plotting the next steps in an impressive early campaign.
For now, though, the Rovers can savor a hard-fought victory, a moment of magic from Tom Knowles, and the knowledge that their unbeaten run keeps them at the summit of the National League. The journey continues, and if recent performances are anything to go by, Forest Green’s fans have plenty more excitement in store this season.
