EFL Trophy: Walsall 6 Forest Green 0 - Report and pictures

In front of a record low post-war attendance of 621 fans, put in an electrifying performance as Josh Gordon completed a hattrick from the penalty spot just after half-time before Wes McDonald, Liam Kinsella and Cameron Norman added the final touches.

Darrell Clarke made seven changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Darlington in the FA Cup on Saturday, starting in a 5-3-2 formation.

Gordon and Caolan Lavery started up front with Elijah Adebayo dropping to the bench and Rory Gaffney not making the squad.

Liam Roberts returned in goal after losing his place to Jack Rose in recent weeks.

Kory Roberts also made the bench, alongside Jack Kiersey who has been suffering with injury this season.

Forest Green Rovers’ manager Mark Cooper made 10 changes to the team that beat Billericay Town in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Former Wolves striker Aaron Collins was the only player to keep his place in the team in a 4-2-3-1 formation and he was joined by 16-year-old’s Vaughn Covil and Harvey Bunker and 18-year-old Isaiah Jones.

After a quiet start, Walsall took the lead just after 20 minutes. Rory Holden did brilliantly to intercept the ball in midfield and run at the defence before feeding Lavery down the channel. The Irishman then crossed for his fellow strike partner Gordon to tap home.

Around 10 minutes later Gordon doubled Walsall’s lead with an excellent finish. A poor pass from Rovers had McDonald running at the defence before passing it to Lavery. The number nine then picked up his second assist when he fed Gordon who rifled the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

The Saddlers went into the second half with a 2-0 lead after dominating a young Rovers side for the first 45 minutes.

After less than five minutes Gordon scored from the penalty spot to wrap up the game and earn his hattrick. Holden’s cross hit a Rovers defender on the arm and after initially waving it away, referee Tom Nield awarded the spotkick.

As the teams were lining up to kick-off after the goal, Rovers striker Collins was given two yellow cards in quick succession for dissent.

Walsall continued to dominate and just after the 70th minute McDonald got the goal his performance deserved. More good work from Holden saw the ball fall to the winger from the left and his first time shot nestled into the bottom corner.

Within a minute, Kinsella added a fifth. Adebayo had a shot saved from close range and the ball popped up to the midfielder who lashed it home from the edge of the box.

As the clock ticked towards added time, Norman added a sixth goal after meeting Holden’s cross from a free-kick and heading home.

And it was the last action of the game as Walsall topped their group in the EFL Trophy and advanced to the knockout stages.

Walsall: L.Roberts, Norman, Scarr, Liddle, Cockerill-Mollett, Holden, Bates (Kiersey 68), Kinsella, McDonald, Gordon (Adebayo 58), Lavery (Hardy 58).

Subs not used: Rose, Sadler, Jules, K.Roberts.

Forest Green: Smith, Mills (Dawson 63), Collins, Morton, McGinley, Godwin-Malife, Mondal, Taylor, Jones, Covil (Artwell 63), Bunker (Jones 63).

Subs not used: Thomas, Saunders, Hill, Ogunleye.

Attendance: 621 (67 away).