Armani Little’s brace earned Forest Green a place in the second round of the Carabao Cup as they eased to a 2-0 victory over Leyton Orient.
Little, a summer signing from Torquay, scored in each half to knock out Richie Wellens’ League Two outfit.
Earlier, Forest Green came out swinging but found O’s goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux in fine form as he denied Corey O’Keeffe with a strong glove from Little’s pass.
Ian Burchnall’s side went ahead when Little swept home Kyle McAllister’s pass in the 17th minute.
Orient’s riposte saw Vigouroux’s opposite number Luke McGee keep the home side’s noses in front as he palmed away Jayden Sweeney’s fizzing drive.
Wellens’ side were gaining a foothold – George Moncur bringing a fine save from McGee from the edge of the box.
In the dying embers of the first half, Moncur thudded a shot against a post and Paul Smyth watched a goal-bound strike hit the head of O’Keeffe.
Rovers were almost caught cold less than 10 seconds after the restart. Smyth somehow clipped wide with just McGee to beat.
Rovers responded with Baily Cargill dashing down the right to find Little who saw his shot squirm under Vigouroux.
Orient tried to find a way back through substitute Theo Archibald but the former Forest Green loanee drilled wide as Rovers booked their spot.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Forest Green
Formation 3-5-2
- 1McGee
- 3BernardBooked at 6mins
- 5Casey
- 6Cargill
- 2O’KeeffeSubstituted forJonesat 70′minutes
- 26Davis
- 8Hendry
- 10Little
- 17McAllisterSubstituted forRobertsonat 70′minutes
- 28MarchSubstituted forStevensonat 61′minutes
- 29BrownSubstituted forBunkerat 77′minutesBooked at 78mins
Substitutes
- 7Stevenson
- 14Matt
- 16Jones
- 19Robertson
- 24Thomas
- 27Bunker
- 44Bennett
Leyton Orient
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 22Vigouroux
- 2JamesSubstituted forWoodat 69′minutes
- 6Thompson
- 19Beckles
- 24SweeneyBooked at 5mins
- 4Ogie
- 14MoncurBooked at 34minsSubstituted forPratleyat 57′minutes
- 20GeorgiouSubstituted forBrownat 69′minutes
- 29Obiero
- 7SmythSubstituted forArchibaldat 58′minutes
- 9SmithSubstituted forKelmanat 58′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Sargeant
- 3Wood
- 11Archibald
- 12Brown
- 18Pratley
- 23Kelman
- 26Fish
- 30Tanga
- 32Hunt
Live Text
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Match ends, Forest Green Rovers 2, Leyton Orient 0.
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Second Half ends, Forest Green Rovers 2, Leyton Orient 0.
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Offside, Forest Green Rovers. Armani Little tries a through ball, but Regan Hendry is caught offside.
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Corner, Forest Green Rovers. Conceded by Lawrence Vigouroux.
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Attempt saved. Jacob Jones (Forest Green Rovers) with an attempt from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Sean Robertson.
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Attempt missed. Charlie Kelman (Leyton Orient) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Jayden Sweeney.
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Offside, Forest Green Rovers. Luke McGee tries a through ball, but David Davis is caught offside.
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Baily Cargill (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Theo Archibald (Leyton Orient).
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Attempt saved. Armani Little (Forest Green Rovers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Corner, Leyton Orient. Conceded by Harvey Bunker.
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Attempt blocked. Theo Archibald (Leyton Orient) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jordan Brown.
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Harvey Bunker (Forest Green Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Harvey Bunker (Forest Green Rovers).
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Omar Beckles (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Substitution, Forest Green Rovers. Harvey Bunker replaces Reece Brown.
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Attempt missed. Theo Archibald (Leyton Orient) left footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right misses to the right. Assisted by Charlie Kelman.
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Armani Little (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jayden Sweeney (Leyton Orient).
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Substitution, Forest Green Rovers. Jacob Jones replaces Corey O’Keeffe.
