Trophy tie is a big game – Elliott

WADE Elliott knows just how important any head-tohead match is between his Cheltenham Town side and county rivals Forest Green Rovers – even if like this evening it comes in the Papa John’s EFL Trophy.

With the Robins 18th and the Green Devils bottom of Sky Bet League One at the moment, the third-tier clash on December 10 may well be more important, but this evening’s last-32 contest in the

Trophy is still one that the fans will want to win, according to Elliott, and he will approach the match as he would do any other.

“We’ll prep exactly the same way to go there,” said Elliott, pictured. “I’ve been here long enough now to know what it’s all about.

“I am not deaf, I hear the fans singing about Forest Green. We know it’s a big game, but we’ll prep for it the same as any other game.

“We’ll go there to give the best account of ourselves that we can and try to win the game.”

Forest Green head coach Ian Burchnall saw his players turn in an improved performance in a 1-1 draw at Oxford on Saturday, but admitted he would rather not have this game right now.

He said: “A midweek game isn’t the most welcomed thing at the moment, but it’s going to be a good game, amd maybe we can rotate one or two players. It’s good to get a break, the next couple of weeks will be a bonus for us.”

After tonight, Forest Green only have Saturday matches scheduled until the festive season, although the next round of the Trophy in inked in for mid-December, while a draw with non-League Alvechurch in the FA Cup this weekend would require a replay a fortnight from now.