Andy Myers' Chelsea Under-21s's side fought hard throughout the contest as it was clear we were up against an in-form team. We fell behind after a lobbed effort from Josh March, but we responded very quickly through Tariq Uwakwe.With the game ending one-all, it was straight to penalties to determine the winner. An inspired Lucas Bergstrom who had a great game saved two penalties and Lewis Hall scored the winning one as we secured our spot in the next round of the Southern Section of the EFL Trophy.

Team news

Myers rung the changes from the line-ups he used previously in this competition. Bergstrom, Hall, Uwakwe, Brodie Hughes and Joe Haigh all came into the side. It was a relatively young bench as well, with Under-18s regulars Charlie Webster, Luke Badley-Morgan and Malik Mothersille all being named in the squad.

Tough start

Our young Blues created an opportunity in the opening moments of the game with Bryan Fiabema pouncing on an error. His drilled cross found Uwakwe but the cut-back could not locate anyone in the box.Following this chance, the first 10 minutes of the game was edged by the Green Devils. Their experience began to show as they kept the ball well and were moving it around our young side.A mistake by Xavier Mbuyamba almost created an opening for a Rovers attacker but it was defended well by Alfie Gilchrist. The resulting corner led to a free header being put wide.Rovers should have taken the lead in the 21st minute as Josh March bent a side-footer inside the box but it landed on the wrong side of the post.

Bravery and fight

George McEachran won a free-kick in a dangerous area just on the edge of the box. He dusted himself down and stood up to take the free-kick and hit the post, our best moment of the half.With half-time approaching we managed to find our feet in this one and Haigh had a great effort from distance that the keeper managed to claim at the second attempt.It was our young Blues who ended the half the stronger and that was capped with the last kick of the half which was a gilt-edged opportunity to take the lead. Haigh went on a lovely run which ended with him cutting the ball back to Uwakwe who was in acres of space. He took his effort first-time and it was impressively blocked on the line as the referee blew his whistle.

Game of chess

We started the second half well as we showed our intent. Long range shots from Simons and Baker did not threaten the keeper but it signalled the tactical instruction of shooting on sight.The home side did remind us of their attacking threat, as Taylor Allen swivelled and took a left-footed shot which went inches wide. Midfielder Regan Hendry drove forward and had a strike from distance that was not far out.The pressure the home side were putting us under was beginning to reveal cracks in our backline and it eventually told. A chipped ball in behind sent March in on goal and he expertly lobbed the keeper to give Rovers the lead.The goal seemed to have woken us up and we levelled almost instantly. A good move into the box ended with Uwakwe jinking with the ball and taking an early right-footed shot which caught the keeper off-guard.

End to end

The game had a real flow to it now, with both sides having great chances to score. A counter-attack led by Baker opened an opportunity for sub Mothersille but his heavy touch spurned his chance.At the other end, a last-ditch tackle from Mbuyamba prevented a one-on-one situation. He then had a chance of his own as his looping header was caught by the keeper but for a moment, the header had the keeper scrambling.A couple of half chances and cue the biggest chance of the half. Nice combination play involving Baker and Hall led to a Hall cross which gave Mothersille a free header five yards out. The youngster mis-timed his leap and put the header harmlessly wide.With penalties looming large, Hendry forced a stoppage-time save from Bergstrom who palmed away well. The home side did have enough time for another big chance as goal scorer March fired a shot across goal, but the effort was stopped by the long leg of Bergstrom.The sides were level after 90 minutes and the game went straight to a penalty shoot-out to determine the winners of this second-round tie.

Checkmate

Baker, George Nunn and Mbuyamba all scored their penalties, while Forest Green Rovers missed their first two due to great saves from Bergstrom, who had a fine game. Josh March did score one penalty for the League Two side, but it will be our young Blues who go through to the next round of the competition and that passafe was secured by Hall who sent the keeper the wrong way with the fourth and all-important penalty.

Myers will next be in the dug-out on Friday 3 December as we travel away to face Derby County.

Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Lucas Bergstrom; Brodie Hughes, Xavier Mbuyamba, Alfie Gilchrist; Lewis Hall, Xavier Simons (c), Lewis Baker, Tariq Uwakwe (George Nunn 79), Joe Haigh, George McEachran, Bryan Fiabema (Malik Mothersille 62).Unused Subs: Dion Rankine, Ethan Wady, Ben Elliot, Luke Badley-Morgan, Charlie Webster.Booked: George McEachran 52, Lewis Hall 90+1.Scorers: Tariq Uwakwe 66Forest Green Rovers (3-4-1-2): Lewis Thomas, Dan Sweeney (c) Udoka Godwin-Malife, Harvey Bunker; Regan Hendry, Sadou Diallo (Jack Aitchison 81), Taylor Allen, Jack Evans; Opi Edwards, Josh March, Jake Young (Matty Stevens 86).Unused Subs: Luke McGee, Dom Bernard, Baily Cargill, Ben Stevenson, Nicky Cadden.Scorer: Josh March 64