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Forest Green Rovers manager Mark Cooper has demanded referees to “sort it out” following a horror tackle on midfielder George Williams.

Williams broke his fibula and also sustained some soft tissue damage after being brought off just four minutes into the side’s 1-0 win against Oldham Athletic at The New Lawn following a tackle from Zak Mills.

Cooper said: “We don’t think he’s in a good way.

“It’s a horrendous tackle. We talk about all these rules, like handballs, offsides, making sure you leave the pitch at the nearest point and then we get two-footed tackles, off the floor, and nothing is done about it.

“Not even a yellow card. Sort it out.”

Taylor Allen scored the only goal of the game moments after being brought on for his league debut for Forest Green.

(Image: Anna Lythgoe)

In a game of little chances, Rovers managed to snatch a winner with just under 20 minutes remaining to ensure a perfect start to the League Two campaign.

With high hopes for the season, Forest Green’s campaign was dealt a blow just four minutes in when Zak Mills fouled Williams and the 23-year-old was brought off before leaving the pitch on a stretcher.

Rovers couldn’t get going and their ball retention, which is usually one of their strongest elements, looked very rusty.

The home crowd were growing restless with the team’s persistence to build their play up from defence and they were wanting a more direct approach.

Joseph Mills had Forest Green’s best chance in stoppage-time in the first-half, but saw his 25-yard effort just go wide of the top right corner.

The Latics had the first chance of the second-half when the ball fell nicely for Christopher Missilou at the edge of the box, but the midfielder fired over Lewis Thomas’ crossbar.

Joseph Mills was fouled right at the edge of the box but the captain’s shot was well blocked and then again when Aaron Collins struck the rebound.

Forest Green began to apply the pressure to the Oldham defence after the free-kick and their passing at the start of the second-half was much more meaningful.

Shawn McCoulsky was then found by Junior Mondal and from a tight angle, the striker forced a save from Gary Wood.

With Cooper needing something different from the bench, he brought on Allen for a rather fatigued Collins.

(Image: SIMON PIZZEY)

Substitute Allen was then found in the box by a clever Joseph Mills through ball and the English youngster smashed the ball into the roof of the net for his first Forest Green goal.

New signing Matty Stevens was then brought on for McCoulsky for his Rovers debut with a standing ovation from the home fans.

Allen then came close again in a similar position for the home side but this time Wood was equal to it and tipped behind for a corner.

Oldham had a glorious chance to equalise with four minutes of normal time remaining, when substitute Urko Vera dragged the ball wide from close range.

Forest Green: Thomas; M. Mills, McGinley, Rawson, J. Mills (C), Bernard; Morton, Dawson, Collins (Allen 64’); Williams (Mondal 5’), McCoulsky (Stevens 73’).

Oldham Athletic: Wood; Z. Mills, Iacovitti, Sefil, Wheater; Maouche (C), Hamer, Sylla (Vera 81’), Missilou, Branger-Engone (Nepomuceno 79’); Wilson (Segba 64’).

Referee: Neil Hair