Through the seasons before us..

Nottingham Forest - 3
Lincoln City - 1

It’s been a bittersweet evening for the Reds really, the progression to the next round we all expected was indeed forthcoming against the Imps, but not without it’s cost, as Julian Bennett was forced out of the game in the first half with a possible torn hamstring injury.  This is very much the main reason I have for perhaps playing reserve or youth team players in games like this.

The first half wasn’t too much of a problem for Forest, the visitors mustering not so much as a shot on goal before the break.  After nine minutes Tys really ought to have scored, Commons found a great run from Bennett - who brought the ball back to Nathan around 6 yards from goal, but he was only able to fire over the bar.

It was more than 20 minutes before the Reds fashioned another chance, Tyson bursting down the left and crossing to find Commons in the box - but the midfielder was only able to fire over.  Shortly after this was Bennett’s injury - a characteristically robust tackle in the box from the left back on Dodds saved us from a Lincoln shot on goal, but left the defender prone and unable to continue - limping off to be replaced by James Perch.

Pleasure was to follow though, with Forest getting the first breakthrough - a sublime one-two from Commons to Cohen and back again saw Commons running through the defence, and able to direct his shot from around 12 yards past the Lincoln ‘keeper Marriott to give us the lead in the game.

The lively Tyson was almost on target straight after, Cohen again the architect with a clever flicked throughball to the striker, but the shot from a tight angle was straight at the keeper.  Davies too was close, good work from Commons on the wing evaded Nathan Tyson, and fell awkwardly for Davies leaving Marriott with a relatively simple save to make.

The second half started with a Forest chance created by Davies, the winger sent the ball right across the face of goal - but with no red shirt to convert the chance.  There wasn’t long for the second goal though, McGugan played Tyson through down the left, who beat his man with pace and then unleashed a tremendous finish from a tight angle.

Forest kept up the pressure, Wes Morgan headed just over from a Cohen freekick, and finally the third goal came when Davies delivered a killer ball to the nearpost where Tyson was able to get to the ball fractionally before Marriott - and see the ball just creep over the line with the Imps ‘keeper unable to intervene.

Forest, being Forest, started to let the Imps back into the game though, Frecklington hit a warning shot across the bow - forcing Smith into conceding a corner with a smart save.  Agogo was introduced for the influential Commons at this point, and as seems to be so often the case, a Forest substitution heralded a goal to our opponents (not that I’m suggesting it was the cause, of course!).

Forrester was on target for Lincoln after this - he ran through an incredibly static Forest back line to convert an easy chance from six yards out.  We thought we’d pegged them back immediately, with Tyson again finding the target - but alas a late flag from the linesman ruled out the effort for offside.

Lincoln certainly finished stronger, Forrester was close to adding to his first goal but just missed the target - but Forest too had late chances, with Agogo setting up Tyson for another chance at a hattrick, but the shot was blocked and the rebound hit by McGugan was aved by Marriott.  Tys should have perhaps had his hattrick but Davies dallied late in the area and lost the ball before finding the striker - leaving us to be satisfied with a 3-1 scoreline.

Less than 7,000 watched the game, which opens a big can of “I told you so” to whoever the greedyguts was who decided on the ticket pricing policy, but at least those who did brave the elements and the denting of their wallets got to see a bit of entertainment and a decent result!  Now we have an almost equally uninspiring away trip to administration-blighted Luton to look forward to.

Bennett’s injury is bad news though, he’s been on great form lately - at least Lockwood is getting close to full fitness though, much as I like Perchy I don’t want to see us sticking people out of position at leftback again as we have done so often in recent years.  Let’s hope Benno’s injury isn’t as serious as it could be.

The other amusing thing was one of the Radio Nottingham commentary team almost referring to Kenilworth Road as a shithole, before checking themselves - top work!  Top work also the Reds, sure it was an expected win - but it was a win with some quality for the first 70 odd minutes too, and yah boo sucks to Lincoln for forcing a rip off price, and missing out on a better attendance!