Nottingham Forest – 1
Yeovil Town – 0
We’re back on top thanks to some decent defending, and a surprisingly low-impact but hard working Yeovil side – oh, and the small matter of McDonald of Oldham netting a late equaliser against 9 man Scunthorpe (what is it about Oldham ending up playing against 9 men?!). All in all, it was an unspectacular but efficient performance from the Reds, which was ultimately decided by a moment of goalkeeping madness from ex-Notts ‘keeper Steve Mildenhall.
The start of the game was all Yeovil, who pressed with possession for the first fifteen minutes – but never really had anyone to link their time on the ball to their strikeforce, so whilst it was frustrating, we never really looked in too much trouble. It took around fifteen minutes for us to get into the game, once again playing in a four-four-two formation with Curtis pushing up the right right flank, and Thompson coming it at right back. But there were few clearcut chances – Yeovil had a shot straight at Smith, Tyson had one straight at Mildenhall, Perchy took a freekick just over (but I’d say the keeper had it covered).
Yeovil’s best chance came just before half time, Morris shot from an angle and almost fooled Paul Smith by going for the near post, fortunately Smith got a leg to it to put it out for a corner. The last notable chance of the half fell to Forest, a freekick from around 20 yards was hit low and hard by Tyson, but wasn’t far enough away from Steve Mildenhall who did well to keep hold of it given the onrushing Grant Holt and Junior Agogo. It was a scrappy first half, with neither side looking anything like their pre-match billing – Yeovil shaded possession, and arguably had the best chance of the game.
My companion for the game commented that he hoped for more entertainment in the second half, and we didn’t have to wait long for it. Eyebrows were raised as Julian Bennett lined up to take a freekick that probably should have been an advantage to Forest, but Andy D’Urso’s premature whistling proved to do us a favour! Bennett lofted what looked a fairly aimless freekick deep into the box, but Steve Mildenhall inexplicably dropped the ball – then stood motionless as Grant Holt turned and fired into the net from the edge of the area – a great finish.
Shortly after this Perchy rifled a vicious shot on goal that Mildenhall was on hand to parry wide in a good save. After this though Yeovil began to find their way back into the game, both Morgan and Breckin looked good at dealing with whatever Yeovil could throw at us though – only one real moment of danger was to occur, when substitute Ismael Welsh unleashed a blistering shot from outside the box which Smith did well to save. Forest had another half-chances, but a lively looking Lester – on as a substitute – couldn’t control it at the crucial moment after good work from Gary Holt.
The most amusing bit of the game for me was when again, Andy D’Urso called a foul despite Forest still being in a reasonably decent position of possession. Tyson had crossed the ball and was caught late, after the whistle had gone the ball reached Dobie about 2 yards out, and as he shaped up to put the ball away he just trod on it instead – the sheepish backheel into the goal only making him look more foolish! Despite the three minutes of stoppage time, the result didn’t really look too much in doubt.
Yeovil fans will feel aggreived at giving us six points this season I imagine, but their play was very similar at the City Ground as to the game back at Huish Park – a lot of possession and endeavour, some slick passing but no killer pass and very few clear chances created. Forest, as at Huish Park, battled gamefully and similarly didn’t create much – a draw would probably have been a fair result – but I’ll happily take a win, and of course, as other results came in it transpired that these points elevate us back to the top of the league!
Oh yes, and I can’t close without noting that Alan Rogers was red-carded in his first game for Accrington Stanley in what Radio Nottingham described as a two-footed legbreaker on David Pipe – ha ha, have that you fat useless bastard!
But anyway, back to Forest – a decent “professional” performance I’d call it – and James Perch really stood out as starting to grab at his chance to establish himself in the middle of the park, well done Perchy, and to the rest of the lads. Of the lads only Thompson had a bit of a ‘mare – although I was concerned when Bennett seemed to drift forward in the second half leaving Tyson as a left back! Top of the league, and having… erm, a wry smile?
Filed under: Matches
Best possible set of results for us. I’m happy my prediction was wrong, because we got the right result! I got the subs right (not hard), and I felt less comfortable than you that 1-0 was enough, but Yeovil did not have enough to hurt us. And well done, Oldham – in terms of points scored against 9-man teams you’re in a class of your own! Awesome debut for Mr Rogers, too, I did chuckle. And Chelsea only managed 4 today, so things are looking good. Definitely wry smile territory, with maybe half a lager thrown in for good measure.
I’d disagree about the “only” player to have a mare….
I think that John Curtis was pretty poor also…when he was playing in midfield he kept drifting back (like he had no comfidence in Tommo) or else drifted far back and inside to sit in a position somewhere in between Wes and Tommo to form a back 5.
There were several instances of him not getting forward quick or often enough to be there at the back post…it was clear today to see how much we missed Southall.
Well done to Holty though.
Got my ticket for Chelski today…even though I might not be going – I might be travelling back from Poland (don’t ask) that day…I don’t think I’ll have a bother getting someone else to take the ticket off my hands though.
Tricky game that. Happy to get the three points even if it was unspectacular. Was I the only one dismayed to see a line up that amounted to essentially 8 defensive players today. On a windy one aswell I thought that the weather wasn’t too condusive for the style of play we would have liked to play – hoof
All credit to them though, they did their best to play football and Curtis and Thommo also provided the Chuckle Brother Entertainment down there on the right – to me, to you…
Had to laugh at Thompson too, with throw ins like that you’d have though he was working for a place down at the Valley!
Poor bugger…
“Calderwood also revealed that young midfielder Lewis McGugan was taken to hospital after the game after losing a tooth in an aerial collision.
McGugan suffered the injury just minutes after joining the action as a substitute and Calderwood added: “That was some welcome to senior football for Lewis.
“The tooth has come clean out and we’ve packed him off to hospital with it in a cup of milk.”
Interesting points, Alex – Curtis I thought was overly defensive, but was often covering where Thommo ought to have been – it was no surprise that a couple of times during the game he either took the initiative to move more centrally in midfield (or was told to) and Perch went wide. Good news on the Chelski ticket, I’m going to be queueing a week tomorrow for mine!
Thommo’s throwin was pretty dreadful! Although at least he only did it once, unlike that poor Charlton bugger!
Kieran, read about McGugan after the match report was over – poor lad, wondered why the ref ordered him off and he appeared to be having a towel inserted into his mouth
He was well up for it, again, though – he put one particularly good tackle in. He looks a great prospect.
Can only echo the other comments e.g not pretty but effective and as John McGovern said on Radio Nottingham in his pre game summary, today was all about the result – no matter how we got it.
I’m excited about McGugan – he looks a real prospect and one hellva athlete! Surprised he seems to have got slightly ahead in the pecking order above Hughes but I assume CC knows whats he doing!
excellent victory with such a big game next weekend and all, i couldn’t help but cheer when I heard Oldham had equallised in the last minute. Grant Holt took his goal very well, still had to pick it through a crowd of bodies and a defender on the line. Well done to Grant Holt, i love him as a player and person, terrific guy who has his heart well into the club after just one year at the club. Keep it up Forest, a draw would be good next week and then the pressure off at Chelsea. After that we have about 7 comfortable games in a row where I think we will pick up many wins and open up another lead at the top. Keep going Forest, well done CC for making the players respond after a dire December.
Well, it was always going to be hard with all our creative players out of action. Thought that Lester or Dobie could have been utilised down the right flank to give us a more attacking look, but sadly not.
It’s noteable that our performance level dropped from the Charlton game though…
Why is no-one asking the obvious question?!
Tooth in a cup of milk? What does that acheive? Is it like a finger in a bag of peas?
That is an important question! I found the following:
“Hold the tooth by the crown (the top of the tooth), not by the root. Plug up the sink to prevent loosing the tooth down the drain and gently rinse the tooth with milk (do not scrub the tooth or use tap water as it contains chlorine and may injure the tooth). Milk is similar to the chemical makeup of teeth.
Place the tooth back in your child’s mouth in its socket if he/she will cooperate. Have your child bite down on a gauze pad placed over the tooth to keep it in place.
If you cannot replace the tooth in your child’s mouth, place it in milk or inside your own mouth, between your cheek and teeth to be bathed in saliva. Be careful not to swallow the tooth.”
So I suppose Lewis should feel grateful Smoulds didn’t insist on sticking his tooth in his own gob to transport it to hospital!
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_poison/teethinj.cfm
Hmm, that link seems to be focused on Children’s teeth. I McGugan really THAT young?
Can’t think our teeth change that much though! And Lewis is only 17/18 isn’t he?
Thanks NFFCBlog! Entertaining AND educational.