Forest Green Rovers are set to take on Southend United at The New Lawn on Wednesday evening for their semi-final clash in the National League playoffs.
The hosts automatically qualified for this round with a third-placed finish in the league, while the visitors advanced past Rochdale to reach the semi-finals.
Match preview
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Forest Green Rovers achieved their first-ever promotion to the Football League by winning the National League playoffs in 2016-17, and just five years later, the Green stepped up to the third division as champions of League Two.
However, Forest Green's League One journey was short-lived, finishing bottom of the table with a miserable 27 points from 46 games, and their struggles continued with a second consecutive demotion after finishing last in League Two in 2023-24.
Steve Cotterill, appointed in January 2024, will be aiming to secure an instant return to the Football League for Forest Green this season, and a third-placed finish has booked their place in the semi-finals of the National League playoffs.
The Green secured 83 points from their 46 league fixtures, with 22 wins, 17 draws and just seven defeats, leaving them 13 points behind second-placed York City and comfortably nine point ahead of fourth-placed Rochdale.
Now seeking to replicate their National League playoff triumph from 2016-17, Forest Green must first overcome a Southend United side they have beaten only once in their last four encounters in order to book a Wembley date for the final.
Southend United have endured a tumultuous period in recent years, with significant financial struggles coinciding with back-to-back relegations in 2019-20 and 2020-21, resulting in their departure from the Football League after 101 years.
Since their National League debut in 2021-22, the Shrimpers have steadily risen up the standings, progressing from a 13th-placed finish to eighth and ninth in subsequent seasons, before finally securing a playoff spot with a seventh-placed finish this term.
Kevin Maher, in charge since October 2021, looked certain to miss out on a top-seven finish once again after just three wins from their opening 13, with Southend largely unable to improve as they sat 15th by matchday 29.
However, a strong finish consisting of seven wins, eight draws and only three losses from their final 18 games saw Southend narrowly secure seventh spot, just one point ahead of Gateshead, with a 0-0 draw against Gateshead on the season's final day ensuring their playoff place.
Southend faced fourth-placed Rochdale in the playoff quarter-finals, and a thrilling 4-3 encounter - including drawing level from 3-1 down before clinching a 101st-minute winner, meant they secured victory and advanced to the semi-finals.
Southend and Forest Green have drawn both of their encounters this season, each ending 2-2, while each team have secured one win apiece in their other two meetings.
Team News
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Christian Doidge (12), Charlie McCann (11) and Kyle McAllister (10) have all struck double-digit figures in the National League this season, and all three could start on Wednesday.
In defence, Sean Long, Ryan Inniss, Cian Harries and Jamie Robson have formed a relatively settled backline for much of the campaign, and they are expected to maintain their partnership in this match.
As for Southend, their gruelling 120-minute semi-final victory just six days ago could leave several players fatigued, but Maher may still opt to stick with the winning 11 for this clash.
Charley Kendall came from the bench in extra-time to score the winner just three minutes later, and the forward could be rewarded with a start alongside Tom Hopper in attack.
Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:
Searle; Long, Inniss, Harries, Robson; McAllister, Sercombe, May, McCann, Garrick; Doidge
Southend United possible starting lineup:
Hayes; Taylor, Goodliffe, Ralph; Scott-Morris, Appiah-Forson, Husin, Coker, Bridge; Hopper, Kendall
We say: Forest Green Rovers 2-1 Southend United
Forest Green have been formidable when playing at home this season - claiming 15 wins, seven draws and just one defeat from 23 league fixtures - and while Southend will be full of confidence after their semi-final win, we expect the hosts to secure the victory and their place in the playoff final.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
