Forest Back In The Race

Forest finally got the away win that has eluded them since the first week of December and with it second place in the table. It was a game they deserved to win and one that will go along way to restoring the faith of an ever growing disenchanted fanbase.

Calderwood opted for the same 5-3-2 formation that had served him well in the game at Lucky Leeds and it worked. Despite concerns before the match that the line up looked too defensive, Forest were to have the lions share of the possession and were to dominate the game.

The teams started brightly with both keepers forced to make saves within the opening minutes. Forest were to have the first real chance of the game, when Grant Holt failed to convert a good Commons cross from only 4 yards. Soon after Commons did the same again, only this time there was no one available to pounce on his delivery.

There was a brief concern over Wilson who went down following a challenge, but he recovered and was able to continue. Despite their dominance though, the Reds couldn’t find the breakthrough they were looking for and the half ended in stalemate.

Orient went on the attack from the start of the second half and Smith was forced to make a decent save. Wes Morgan soon after came to the rescue by blocking a goal bound effort from the home side. Forest got a free kick and Commons forced the O’s keeper Nelson to tip his curling shot over the bar.

Just when you thought it was going to be another fruitless afternoon, Wes Morgan turned attacker and beat two Orient defenders. When the ball came off one of the defenders it landed in the path of Agogo, who hit a shot from 20 yards to put the Reds 1-0 up and his 11th goal of the campaign.

Orient were far from finished and put the pressure on in a bid to draw level. Wes Morgan who had just performed heroics nearly turned villain, as he turned a shot onto his own post. The home side were getting stronger and were growing in confidence. Things were sounding all too familiar, but the lads rallied and managed to regain control of the game. Some late substitutions by CC saw them hold on and for the first time in 7 away games they picked up the points.

Thanks to Carlisle beating Doncaster, Forest go second. This win will hopefully be the catalyst for a decent and sustained run, that will see us once and for all climb out of this Godforsaken division. The relief of this win was probably best summed up right at the end, when the players and coacking staff linked arms and went to applaud the 2,000 odd travelling fans who gave it large once again on the terraces. Well done Mr. Calderwood, more of the same please.