Forest Green Rovers Interim Head Coach, Hannah Dingley, believes the pre-season tour in Ireland has bonded the players together as a group.

Rovers spent six nights in Waterford, undergoing some tough training sessions at the SETU Arena - as well as playing a behind closed doors game against UCD.

“It was a really good and really tough week," said Dingley. "It’s a long time for the players to have away from their families - but they’ve all applied themselves really well and worked really hard.

“It’s bonded them as a group and we’ve made some real gains both on and off the pitch.

“Physical returns have been really key with us now being three weeks away from the start of the season. 

“We’ve also been looking for social returns, in terms of camaraderie and the players wanting to fight for each other and for the football club."

Rovers' only game of the tour ended in a 2-0 win over League of Ireland Premier Division side UCD. A different first half and second half team was used, with Charlie McCann giving Rovers the lead after 30 minutes with a sweet free-kick into the top corner.

Matty Stevens scored his first goal of pre-season, leaping high to meet a cross from the right from Zach McKenzie.

“It was a really good and useful exercise. It was a lovely facility and a good opposition.

“We got a lot out of the game in terms of things we’re trying to work on - and we also got more minutes into the players’ legs."

Rovers now face back-to-back games at The New Lawn on Tuesday and Wednesday night, facing Coventry City and Everton Under-21s respectively.

FGR also make the trip to Plymouth Argyle for a behind closed doors friendly on Saturday, so it's set to be a busy week for Dingley's side. However, it's one that the Interim Head Coach says the players and supporters should be embracing.

She said: “It’s an exciting week. We should be excited to play games as that’s what everybody wants.

“It’ll be great for the fans to see some of the new players. The Coventry game will be really tough - and it’ll be a test to see if they’ve taken on the information and what physical shape they’re in.

“The game against Everton Under-21s will be a different proposition but it’ll allow players to get minutes in their legs and to build on those basic principles.”