MARK COOPER says he remains “calm” ahead of his second trip to Wembley in 12 months with Forest Green Rovers as the club target a place in the Football League.
Cooper, who replaced Ady Pennock as Rovers boss last May, was in the dugout as the Gloucestershire outfit were beaten 3-1 by Grimsby Town in last season’s promotion final.
And they have made it back to the national stadium after Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge saw them through to this season’s final, winning 3-1 on aggregate.
Top scorer Christian Doidge put Rovers ahead before a brilliant curling effort from Keanu Marsh-Brown made it two, enough to beat John Still‘s Dagenham.
Rovers return to Wembley on Sunday to take on Tranmere Rovers with Cooper in relaxed mood ahead of the big game.
The former Peterborough, Swindon Town and Notts County boss told the Stroud News & Journa: “It was a very, very good performance (against Dagenham). The first ten minutes were edgy but after that we looked good and managed the game well.
“The midfielders were outstanding. We’ve got some young lads in there and they were really, really good for their age. Hopefully we can replicate the same performance at Wembley next week.
“I’m feeling calm because nothing has been done. We’ve got another game and we’ve got a shot at getting into the Football League.”
On winger Marsh-Brown, who has an enjoyed an up-and-down campaign, Cooper added: “He’s an enigma. He’s got bundles of ability and it frustrates the life out of me that he’s still playing at this level.”
