Forest Green Rovers kick started their pre-season campaign with an entertaining 1-1 draw against Slimbridge at Thornhill Park.

Steve Cotterill named a strong side with summer signings Adam May, Ben Tozer and Tom Knowles ready to feature ahead of Rovers’ first pre-season fixture.

Rovers started the game on the front foot with Charlie McCann forcing a smart save from Olly Phillips from distance inside the opening five minutes.

Phillips denied Rovers again on 23 minutes with another superb save stretching to tip an Emmanuel Osadebe curling effort over the bar.

Two minutes later, McCann went close again sending a low effort just past the post following some great link up play in area.

Rovers took the lead on 34 minutes as Jacob Maddox reacted to a loose ball in the area before rolling his effort into the bottom corner from close range.

With plenty of changes at the break, Rovers started the stronger as May sent a dipping effort towards goal but it was tipped over by Ryan Smallwood this time in the Swans goal.

Rovers went closest next on 56 minutes when Marcel Lavinier’s curling effort from the edge of the area flew just past the post.

The Swans got themselves level on the hour mark when Jarmani Langlais managed to keep his footing inside the area before finding the bottom corner from close range.

Jamie Searle was called into action a few minutes later reacting well to divert a Jack Smith driven effort over the bar.

Rovers almost found a winner on 84 minutes after Isaac Hughes’ fantastic control in the area allowed him to send a low effort goal bound but it only found the side netting.

Cotterill’s side will continue their pre-season schedule on Saturday, July 13th when we travel to face Melksham Town.

Attendance - 576

1st Half XI - Searle (GK), Lavinier, Robson, Bunker, Moore-Taylor ©, Inniss, McAllister, McCann, Maddox, Doidge, Osadebe

2nd Half XI - Searle (GK) (67’), Lavinier(66’), Long, Knowles, Tozer, Jenks, Inniss(66’), Bunker (66’), Maddox (66’), Omotoye, May

Subs - Pagel (GK) (67’), Sanniola (66), Merrett (66’), Hughes (66’), Raut (66’)