Stalemate At City Ground

This was to be a frustrating afternoon at the City Ground. Rovers came for a draw and got it and Forest failed to fire on all cylinders. At the end of the day a 0-0 scoreline was probably a fair result.

The opening exchanges from both sides saw some neat and tidy passing with the ball being played on the deck. Fans were lulled into thinking this would be an entertaining game with chances a plenty. But Forest had to wait until the final minute of the first half before testing Sullivan in the Rovers goal.

Doncaster are a passing side and should be given credit for that, but they are also the most cynical team I’ve seen at the City Ground this year. They were snapping at the heels of Commons, Tyson and Cohen all afternoon without punishment from the joke of a ref, Steve Tanner. A Premiership ref by all accounts. He had an absolute mare.

Donny and their fans thought James Hayter had put them one up and so did I, but it was mercifully disallowed for offside. Forest were playing some neat football at times, but once again there was no end product. Luke Chambers had a good game, apart from his inability to put in a decent cross today. Too many times they flew over everyone’s head or out for a goal kick. That will probably be contested by some readers, but it’s the way I saw it.

There was a scare for Tyson, when a good run by Agogo saw him put a square ball into the path of the on rushing Tyson. As the striker overstretched, he seemed to land awkwardly and was writhing around in pain as if he’d been hit with a baseball bat. A few moments later though, he was back on his feet and playing again. Today was one of the most ineffective performances I’ve seen from Tyson. In his defence, he didn’t exactly get great service. The best chance of the half for Forest came just before the break. Commons played a short corner to Cohen whose shot although on target, was easily saved by Sullivan.

The second half started in much the same way as the first, as you began to realise this game had 0-0 written all over it. Rovers seemed unwilling to commit too many men forward and Forest lacked the guile or ingenuity to get behind them. In an effort to shake things up and force the game, Calderwood swapped Tyson for Holt with just over ten mins to go. Holt should have done better with a weak shot at goal that was comfortably collected by Sullivan again.

Mark Wilson had the best effort of the game and deserved to put the visitors in front with a great shot from 25 yards that came back off the bar. Hayter put the rebound out for a goal kick.

Although this game wasn’t the worst game of football you’ll ever see, I think many fans would have left the City Ground feeling frustrated at missing out on the chance to go second. Fair play to Rovers, they broke up the play well and made it difficult for the Reds. They will be the happier of the two sides with a point. The good run continues and a clean sheet will always please the manager. Next up it’s another tough one as we travel to Luton and hopefully get back to winning ways.

Teams:

Forest. Smith, Chambers, Wilson, Breckin, Bennett, Cohen, Lennon, Clingan, Commons, Tyson (Holt 78), Agogo.
Subs Not Used: Roberts, Perch, McGugan, Sinclair.

Booked. Lennon

Doncaster. Sullivan, Greer (Guy 63), Lockwood, Mills, O’Connor, Stock, Wilson, Wellens, McDaid (Gareth Roberts 63), Coppinger (Price 85), Hayter.
Subs Not Used: Green, Hird.

Booked. Guy