Forest Green Rovers 5 Chesham United 0

Jonathan Gould believes Forest Green Rovers’ emphatic 5-0 victory over Chesham United can provide a much needed boost as his side prepare for a trip to Luton Town in the FA Cup first round proper.

Rovers produced a dominant five star display at The New Lawn, scoring five goals without reply to secure their place in the next round after Saturday’s 0-0 draw against their National League South opponents.

Bryan Ifeanui opened the scoring with a stunning strike inside the opening two minutes, before D’Mani Mellor doubled the advantage and Freddie Sass made it three before half-time.

Kyle Kelly added a fourth in the 57th minute, before Tate Campbell completed the scoring with a delightful dink over the goalkeeper 12 minutes from time.

For Gould, the performance offered a welcome response after a frustrating run of games in which Rovers had created chances but struggled to convert them.

“It’s probably a tonic for us,” he said. “I think we’ve felt in the last three or four games we’ve had chances that we could have taken. I think tonight we took them.”

Ifeanui’s spectacular opener set the tone for a commanding performance, with Forest Green taking control during the opening stages.

Gould revealed that his players had been encouraged to make their mark early, although a strike of such quality was not necessarily part of the plan.

“Not specifically from a long way out, but we wanted to make sure the first 10 or 15 minutes we put our mark on the game, and the lads did that brilliantly for us,” he said.

Gould was equally pleased with his side’s defensive contribution, as goalkeeper Luke McNicholas secured another clean sheet.

“They were great strikes, all of them,” he said. “But the other pleasing thing is there was a celebration at the end there where Kel cleared one off the line, and that was important to us as a group of players for that clean sheet for Luke.”

The victory was also the first for Gould and his fellow coaches working together as a trio, although he was keen to credit the players for delivering the performance.

“Ultimately, it’s for the team really,” he said.

“We do our work so they can go out and perform, and when they perform like that, you see all the smiles on their faces.”

Forest Green will now travel to Luton in the first round, with Gould welcoming the opportunity to test his side against the League One outfit at Kenilworth Road.

“Yes, it’d be fantastic,” he said, reflecting on the prospect of visiting the recently redeveloped stadium.

However, Rovers must first turn their attention back to league action, beginning with Saturday’s long journey to Barrow.

With three important fixtures in the next 10 days, Gould stressed that recovery would be crucial as his side look to build on their cup success.

“We want to go and start winning league games. That’s what ultimately the club’s judged on over a season,” he said.

“But to keep the supporters engaged with the cup runs is also really important.”

Forest Green Rovers: McNicholas, Abrefa, Mabete, McIntrye (Kircough 53), Sass (Kengni 64), Clarke (Kelly 53), Campbell, McAllister (Gbadehan 58), Haughton, Mellor (Marquez 72), Ifeanyi. Subs not used: Ross, Etaluku.

Chesham United: Goode, Lacey, Young, Adebiyi (Brown 82), Adewunmi (Williams 45), Andrews (Eze 45), St Clair Burton, Lench, Babos (Bennetts 45), Lafleur, Oliyide. Subs not used: Roberts, Weiss, Rasulu.

Referee: Matthew McQuillan.

Attendance: 529.