An outstanding performance saw Forest Green Rovers cruise to a 5-0 victory over Colchester United at The New Lawn.

After a quiet start to the contest, goals from Callum Morton, Kyle McAllister, Matty Taylor and two from Matty Stevens capped off a five-star display from David Horseman’s side.

Rovers came into this one off the back of a penalty shootout victory in the EFL Trophy against Walsall. Colchester’s last outing saw them defeated 3-1 at home to 10-man Morecambe.

The first real chance came for the visitors in the 12th minute, with Joe Taylor’s driven effort from the edge of the box hitting the post.

Rovers then had a great opportunity a couple of minutes later. Troy Deeney’s pressure forced U’s goalkeeper Tom Smith into a poor clearance that saw McAllister pick up the ball and set up Jacob Maddox, but his shot was blazed over the bar.

32 minutes in, Colchester won an indirect free-kick after a pass-back from Dom Bernard. Cameron McGeehan fired towards goal, but brave defending from Forest Green saw the ball blocked.

With 41 minutes played, Rovers broke the deadlock. An effort from Tyrese Omotoye was spilt by Smith, and Morton found himself in the right position at the right time to poke home the rebound.

Shortly into stoppage-time, Morton almost doubled his tally and team’s lead. A brilliant ball by Omotoye sent the striker through on goal, but Smith closed him down quickly and denied Forest Green a second before the break.

Just a couple of minutes into the second-half, Colchester found themselves down to 10-men after Jay Mingi received a second yellow for a foul on Omotoye.

In the 65th minute, Forest Green doubled their lead in fantastic fashion. The ball was played to McAllister down the left-hand side, who connected perfectly and fired into the far corner, leaving Smith with no chance.

It was almost three a few minutes after as Omotoye found himself through on goal, but the glove of Smith got the slightest of touches to keep his shot out.

With 77 minutes played, Rovers did get a third. Just minutes after coming on, Taylor was played through by Reece Welch, and his strike managed to beat the keeper at his near-post.

Just over a minute later, Forest Green scored a fourth, and it was two more substitutes that created it. Sean Robertson’s cross picked out Stevens, and he smashed home from close-range.

Three minutes into an additional eight, it was five for the home side, and a brace off the bench for Matty Stevens, which capped off a spectacular victory and Forest Green’s first home league win of the season.

Next up for Rovers is a trip to Mansfield, and you can get your tickets, here.

Forest Green: Belshaw (G/K); Dabo (C) (Robson 68’), Bernard, Welch, Lavinier; Bunker, Maddox (Jenks 66’); Omotoye, McAllister (Robertson 75’); Morton (Taylor 75’), Deeney (Stevens 75’)

Colchester: Smith (G/K); Mitchell, Hall (C), Egbo; Fevrier, Mingi, McGeehan, Kazeem (Dallison 46’); Chilvers (Bandeira 74’); Hopper (Ihionvien 74’), Taylor (Tovide 46’)

Player of the Match: Tyrese Omotoye

Attendance: 2,137 (278)