Fans have hit back after some Twitter users mock the attendance for Tuesday night’s fixture between Forest Green and Accrington.
A crowd of 2,007 was at The New Lawn for the League One encounter which finished 2-1 to the hosts, and 34 of that figure was in the away end supporting Stanley, and while these numbers are expected, it somewhat still sparked a reaction online.
While many have took the mick, others have credited those who travelled, especially given location of the ground, pub transport not available, and people short of money right now.
Tommy Leigh’s 76th-minute strike looked to have handed Accrington a point before March swept in a ball from Chelsea loanee Bryan Fiabema.
Earlier, Reece Brown’s first-half opener put Ian Burchnall’s side ahead – eight minutes before the break – as Brown swivelled on the edge of the box to send a strike into the bottom corner of Lucas Jensen’s goal from a Myles Peart-Harris assist.
Sixty seconds into the resumption of the second-half, Ryan Atley saw his effort over with just Luke McGee to beat as John Coleman’s side looked for a quick response.
Stanley got an equaliser with 14 minutes left on the clock. Mitch Clark weaved his way into the box for Leigh to sweep home.
Four minutes later, Rovers was back in front. Substitute Fiabema, with his first touch since coming on, squared the ball for March to pounce for Forest Green’s second win of the season.
Deep into stoppage-time, Accrington boss Coleman was booked for leaving his technical area and trying to grab a ball back from a ball boy.
Manager Ian Burchnall praised his young Forest Green side as they claimed the narrow victory.
Struggling with injuries, Rovers finished the game with four teenagers and handed a league debut off the bench to academy graduate Harvey Bunker.
Burchnall said: “We finished the game with four 19-year-olds and one 20-year-old, so with the injuries we have, that’s magnificent. Christian Marquez (19) came in from Wolves on Friday and was outstanding.”
The former Notts County boss hailed the impact of Bryan Fiabema, who teed up March’s winner with his first touch.
He added: “I spoke to people in Rosenborg about him and you aren’t a bad player if you are at Chelsea – he had a positive impact but I’m not sure about his hair cut.”
Deep into stoppage-time Accrington boss John Coleman was booked for leaving his technical area.
He said: “The ball boy should have been dismissed from the side of the pitch. The referee said he’s going to report him but what good is that to us? All I was trying to do was get the ball back and get the game going.
“It’s all about scoring goals. They scored two and we scored one. We were comfortably in control of the game, but we’ve got no cutting edge at the moment. We’re blunt.
“You’ve got willing lads who’ll run themselves into the ground, but we’re missing quality. We’ve got to start working goalkeepers. They were low in confidence tonight, but they worked hard and sent their fans home happy.
“We’ve got to start keeping clean sheets. I’m not travelling overnight anymore. Every time we go away from home and stay overnight, we get beat. I’m scratching my head at the moment.”
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This is what was being said as some fans take to mock the attendance for Tuesday night’s Forest Green and Accrington fixture…
@thewallbank: 34 away fans? @AndyhHolt clearly encouraging them not to travel but to buy on ifollow instead. Who would have thought it….. #itfc
@TheDB30: Why are Ipswich fans so obsessed with attendances? You’re in the same league as these teams for a reason.
@wayneshutt: I never got that memo 🤷🏼♂️ I’ve spunked £150 on 2 trips down to FGR
@R_J_M_11: Wow that is pathetic support for a league game
@htafc_ben: Seeing Wednesday fans have a go at this is hilarious. How the mighty have fallen 🤣
@lukepeo1867: This is non league figures
@OwenTopshooter: Dissolve both clubs for that attendance
@Jamesr02_: Statement from the EFL: “After reading through these QRT’s, the league will now be decide on which grounds have the highest attendance”
@_harrymcbeth: To be fair 34 is decent going. Middle of nowhere, canny hike in midweek for a with all respect very small club. Looks pathetic but all things considered can’t imagine many would be right up for it.
@Benno1uk: 34? Did Holt drive them there on the team bus?
@Jorc94: I see people are rattled again about how many people attended a football game for some reason
@DanielIves3: 34 wow that’s just embarrassing
@itfcsam96: Got to give it to the 34. They had the fixture cancelled close to kickoff due to bad weather, it’s available on iFollow and a 3hr drive each way on a Tuesday night. Accy is a small club in a cost of living crisis, slander is a bit odd.
@MorecambeFCFeed: Long tough round-trip to that ground, fair play to the Accrington fans who went. A lot of disrespect being shown to a club that should be respected for how they operate.
@HughIrving3: Seen more for an evostik northern Premier game
@SupremeLeaderD3: Those are national league numbers at best
@achandler2409: The away support will always attract trolling. Congratulations to the 34. I doff my cap. That’s a hell of a Tuesday round trip in a financial crisis. Kudos guys🙌🏻 Why can’t we please recognise the great stuff🤷🏻♂️
@TallPaul_H: Bit weird to see people bashing these two clubs when they’ve both risen up from non league. Fair play to everyone in attendance on a Tuesday night when the cost of living is through the roof 👏🏻 360 mile round trip for Accrington fans..
@pfcmccloud: bit embarrassing anyone slating them for 34 fans, it’s clear they’re out of the depth club size wise, fair play to them for staying in this division for so long, and cheers for colby bishop x
@jamieflagg: Hope we have less people at the next game so we can carry on living rent free in these peoples heads
@mrmterry: As I’ve said before, some fans rely on their football club for their whole identity and having lots of fans makes them better than others in their eyes. I admire the 34 – proper commitment and real people. 👏👏👏
Seen alot of people mocking the number of fans @ASFCofficial took on a Tuesday night to @FGRFC_Official. Hats off to each and everyone of those 34 fans. It’s a midweek fixture so public transport not available… people are short of money at moment too… #LoyalSupport https://t.co/TBf3pYn9Wz
— @thecoldend (@thecoldend) September 7, 2022
It’s third division on a Tuesday night during a cost of living crisis. Get a grip.
— Pepe Silvia (@BigPepeSilvia) September 6, 2022
Fair play to those @ASFCofficial fans 👏🏽
— Duncan Campbell-Cave (@dunky_cc) September 6, 2022
Full credit to every single Accrington fan making the 360 mile round trip on a tuesday night when the game was a rearranged one. Top class support 👏🏻
— Will Stanway 🇷🇴 (@WJStanway1) September 6, 2022
Accy are a great club, they have the same challenges as #wafc, sandwiched in between bigger, more established clubs. Even though they’ve had exceptional success to climb the divisions and make it a great club for home and away fans. Full credit to them.
— Mudhutter (@mudhutter) September 7, 2022
Oh give over, 34 absolute legends for making that trip on a Tuesday night!
— 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝟮 🇺🇦 (@BonoITFC) September 7, 2022
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