Hockaday aware of tough Telford tie
FOREST Green Rovers travel up to Shropshire to tackle AFC Telford this weekend, with David Hockaday’s men looking to do the double on their up and coming opponents (3pm).
A stoppage time winner in October handed Forest Green the points in a 2-1 victory at The New Lawn and Rovers boss Hockaday is prepared for what will be a battling afternoon at New Bucks Head.
“Telford are a tough team,” said Hockaday. “They are big and strong and very well organised.
“We had them watched at Grimsby, who are arguably the league’s form team, and they were very unlucky to lose that game. So they’ve got something about them.
“They’ll be at home so it is going to be a really tough game but we’ll go there to respect them but not fear them.
“We now feel that we are safe (from relegation), so that’s the first target reached. We’ve got a number of games left and we’re going to try and get as many points that we can from them and see where we end up.”
And Hockaday is hoping that first choice goalkeeper Sam Russell will be fit to take his place in goal after he was substituted last weekend against Fleetwood Town.
“Sam was in today and his thigh is settling down. He just got a little bit of a niggle and we couldn’t risk it. So we will see how he is today– he’s got a chance.”
18th placed Telford are scrapping to stay away from the drop zone whilst Rovers continue their pursuit of the play offs and a record high finish so there will be plenty to play for on Saturday afternoon in Shropshire.
Kieron Forbes meanwhile will continue to miss out with his hamstring problem whilst James Rowe is also unavailable through injury.
The match will be too early for Chris Todd to make a return after the defender featured for 45 minutes in Rovers reserves win against Torquay on Tuesday whilst Reece Styche, Curtis McDonald and Al Bangura are also definite absentees.
Hockaday may hand deadline day signing Jamie Collins his debut whilst Tommy Wright may also make his debut in a first team shirt after the former Leicester City front man fired in for the reserves earlier in the week.
The Supporters Club are running a coach to the game this weekend and to book a seat and to get more details of where you can catch it – give Sam Reid a ring on 01666 5055 19.
Ticket prices:
Adult: £13 Concession: £10 Youth (14-18): £5 Under 14: £1
