Bishop's Cleeve vs Forest Green

Bishop's Cleeve had matched their higher-league opponents for long stretches of the first half, but Forest Green's deeper squad depth and sharper fitness told after the break. The second goal — Kircough's finish in the 70th minute — came after a sustained spell of Rovers pressure and effectively broke the hosts' resistance, with Conteh adding gloss eight minutes from time.

Nick Haughton — the former AFC Fylde midfielder, who scored seven National League goals in 2025/26, showed his class with a composed penalty and linked play smartly in central areas. The focal point of Forest Green's attacking transitions.

Gabe Kircough — the 20-year-old's goal was his second in two competitive appearances for the club, having also found the net against Morecambe in April. His movement off the shoulder troubled the Bishop's Cleeve defence all evening.

Thomas Conteh — capped the win with a late third goal and stretched play on the right flank, offering an outlet that kept Bishop's Cleeve pinned back in the final quarter.

The 1-1 half-time scoreline reflected a genuinely competitive first period in which Bishop's Cleeve created and converted a chance of their own, not simply a case of Forest Green taking their foot off the gas. The second half, however, told a clearer story of the gulf between National League and Southern League Division One South: Forest Green's two unanswered goals after the break came from sustained pressure rather than speculative efforts, and the clean defensive sheet in the second period suggests the backline grew into the game as fitness levels took over.

This was the first of seven pre-season friendlies for Forest Green, who face Merthyr Town (away, 18 July), Bristol Rovers (home, 21 July), Cardiff City (home, 25 July), Bristol City (home, 29 July) and Swindon Town (home, 1 August) before the National League season resumes. Manager Robbie Savage will have been encouraged by a professional if unspectacular start to preparations.

For Bishop's Cleeve, the fixture continues a useful pre-season programme against higher-league opposition ahead of their Southern League Division One South campaign.

A routine pre-season win for Forest Green, who did what was required without needing to hit top gear. The penalty inside five minutes gave them control, and the second-half double underlined the gap in quality. Haughton and Kircough look sharp early in the build-up, while Bishop's Cleeve can take pride from a competitive first-half display.