Forest Green Rovers thrashed Worthing 4-1 to seal an FA Cup first-round trip to Jack Wilshere’s Luton Town.
Robbie Savage watched his National League high-flyers dominate at Woodside Road, booking a November date at Kenilworth Road after a ruthless qualifying display.
Savage’s side sweep into round one
Forest Green were in front on 12 minutes when Harry Whitwell raced through to slot home from a quick Tom Knowles free-kick. Knowles then doubled the advantage with a composed finish on 22 minutes as the visitors repeatedly punished Worthing’s high line.
Former Rovers midfielder Teddy Jenks dragged the hosts back into it just before the break with a crisp low strike, yet that was as good as it got for the home crowd.
Harvey Bunker restored clear daylight on 69 minutes, drilling in from the edge of the box after Jayden Clarke’s lay-off. Clarke wrapped it up from the spot 4 minutes later, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to leave a lively Sussex crowd acknowledging the gulf in cutting edge.
Forest Green’s finishing stood out all night, their counters carried constant threat, and a brief Worthing spell after half-time was repelled by calm defending in front of their own area.
Worthing relished the occasion
Worthing boss Adam Hinshelwood had urged his players to relish the occasion before kick-off, the cameras underlining the club’s progress and ambition.
“These occasions and these type of nights is what we all do it for,” said the Worthing manager. “This is where we want to be, testing ourselves against the top sides and the top managers.”
His team played with bravery and pressed aggressively, but Savage’s men had the extra quality in both boxes, turning dangerous breaks into goals and keeping their shape when the tie briefly tilted.
Kenilworth Road awaits
The reward is a headline first-round tie away to Luton Town on the weekend of Saturday, 1 November. The Hatters, now under new manager Jack Wilshere, enter at this stage alongside League One and League Two clubs. Savage’s side, sitting near the top of the National League, will travel with momentum and with a front line that looks primed for higher-level opposition.
The draw also produced several intriguing fixtures elsewhere, but this one carries an obvious narrative. Savage, who has leaned into an energetic, front-foot style, goes up against a former England international at the start of his own managerial journey.
Forest Green’s blend of pace in transition and set-piece threat will be tested by a Luton squad expected to impose themselves at home, yet a disciplined away shape and the speed of Whitwell, Knowles and Clarke give the visitors real punch.
Writer’s View
This was exactly the type of qualifying performance that sends a message. Forest Green were clinical, organised and confident, and the balance between aggression and control felt right from the opening goal.
Luton will be a huge step up, yet the tie arrives with storylines that suit an underdog prepared to run, to break lines and to back their finishing. Keep the counters sharp, limit cheap turnovers around their own box, and Savage’s side have every chance of turning a marquee draw into a genuine contest.
