Forte’s fight

Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date published: 08 September 2014


GOAL-hero Jonathan Forte is carrying a thigh injury Athletic hope won’t put him out of action for Gillingham’s visit on Saturday.

Forte, whose match-winner from the spot against Fleetwood was his fifth goal of the season, was helped off the field just before 60 minutes.

Manager Lee Johnson credited him with not only scoring the penalty but also injecting life into Athletic’s performance after a slow start.

“He is such a threat for us and top scorer in the division. He is enjoying playing again and we want to do all we can to make sure he is right for Saturday.”

Forte is level at the top of the league’s scoring charts with Peterborough’s Kyle Vassell. Last season’s top scorer, 12-goal Danny Philliskirk, has yet to get off the mark despite plenty of attempts against Fleetwood.

Johnson, who is still on the hunt for a target man — Chris Porter remains a serious option — hopes that Philliskirk can soon find the attacking sharpness to tally with his impressive work-rate.

“He does need a goal as that is one in 24 games now, but he does a great job for the team,” Johnson said.

Athletic now have a week off before the Gillingham game at home on Saturday. The side will hope to make it four straight victories in all competitions, a feat last achieved last November.

The break also gives new man Dominic Poleon a chance to settle in further after an impressive first game for the club.

“It was an excellent debut and he easily lasted the 90 minutes, which surprised me,” Johnson added.

“You saw for the penalty his pace, which can totally change the dynamic of the match. He and Jonathan Forte both have the ability to do that.”

Johnson rated the performance in the 1-0 Fleetwood win as among the finest of his tenure and wants the same effort repeated for the visit of the Gills, who lost 1-0 in Coventry’s return to the Ricoh Arena on Friday night.

“Now we have another home game against Gillingham so hopefully that will raise momentum in the town and get more people coming in. There will start to be a buzz. As a manager and as a player who has been involved in promotions, that is what is needed.”



ATHLETIC are at home to Sky Bet League One rivals Barnsley in the second round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. The clash – the first between the two clubs since the third-tier meetings in the 2005-06 season – will take place in the week from October 6.