Forest Green game all about the win – Exeter boss Paul Tisdale

Posted Thursday, February 01, 2018 by PA

Exeter manager Paul Tisdale was delighted to take three points as the Grecians maintained their promotion push by moving up to fourth place in League Two with a 2-0 win over struggling Forest Green.

On-loan West Brom winger Kyle Edwards changed the game as he created the first goal for Jayden Stockley and was then fouled by Dale Bennett, which allowed Pierce Sweeney to hammer home the penalty and make it six straight wins at home for City.

“It was all about the win. That’s how I see it,” Tisdale said.

“It was a 2-0 home win and it is in stark contrast to some of the entertainment, which was at times turgid and dull, but that’s winter football.

“The pitch is really difficult to play on, but we were very disciplined with what we did and it was all about the result.

“Our focus and our priority is all about the result and that was fabulous. We did what we had to do.

“Forest Green played to their strengths in the first half and I said to the players last week before we played Notts County that both teams would challenge us in different ways and not to underestimate them.

“The key was whether we would keep our shape and take our chances.

“They were the better side in the first half, but we defended really well and used our half-time well and made an immediate response in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

“Kyle is improving and contributing in all areas and becoming an all-action player which is the purpose of his move to Devon. He certainly showed that tonight in the second half.”

Forest Green dominated the first half but created little and star striker Christian Doidge, who was hauled off midway through the second half, felt his side, who remain second from bottom of the table, must do better.

“It was one of those games you could tell we weren’t getting many chances so he told me when I came off he wanted to rest me for Saturday,” Doidge said.

“Obviously I wanted to stay on but I am not one of those players to throw my toys out of the pram, got to get on with the job and get ready for Saturday.

“It was frustrating, we played quite slowly around the box and for a striker that is really hard to get on the ball.

“If the ball is not moving quickly it is basically impossible. We have got to play quicker and cross the ball early, we had a discussion about that in the changing room and hopefully we can rectify that on Saturday.

“We have all got to dig in now and win some games. We have got to be men out there and get positive results otherwise people lose jobs.

“It is down to the players and we have got to do it on the weekend.”