The Sheep Get Bragging Rights In BCT

Nearly 5,000 Forest made the short journey down the Brian Clough Way to cheer on Forest, but after 90mins they had precious little to cheer about. Derby cruised to a 2-0 victory and in all honesty Forest didn’t get a look in.

The writing was on the wall as early as the 7th min, when McEveley put the Rams in front with a superb shot into the left hand corner of the goal, to give Roberts no chance. On 16 mins, things were to get worse for the Reds as Fagan made it 2-0 after a moment of indecision from Ian Breckin that gifted Fagan the goal. He made the most of a miss timed header and cooley slotted the ball past Roberts, who was caught in two minds as to staying on his line, or advancing. He did neither and could do nothing to stop Fagan scoring.

Forest had a couple of good efforts from Commons and McGugan free kicks, but the Reds could not get the ball up to the front men. On the rare occasions they did, it was normally the result of Forest man of the match Brendan Moloney breaking down the wing and crossing. Holt came closest for Forest when he hit a Moloney cross over the bar from inside the box.

Commons went off after taking a knock and was replaced by Bastians. The half ended disappointingly for Forest, having been played off the park and given some severe stick from the home support.

Forest came out in positive mood and as in the first half, passed the ball well, but with little end product. Dobie went on a lightning run, but could do nothing with the ball when in the box. One thing that was highlighted last night, was the desperate need for an out and out target man, because on this showing Dobie certainly isn’t one of them. Having said that, the service to them was limited.

Young Dale Roberts can be pleased with his showing as can Brendan Moloney, who stole the show for Forest. He in particular looks to have a great future, even if his legs look like they are on the wrong way. Calderwood will take the positives out of the game as he always does, but there was a gulf in class tonight and it would be unfair to be too critical. Wes Morgan resisted his normal hoof it style and tried to pass the ball out of defence. Sinclair has bags of pace and could probably frighten League 1 defences to death. Clingan looked to be back to fitness and had a decent game, as did McGugan. Breckin unfortunately had a bit of a mare and will give us heart attacks with many more showings like this.

I knew there were reasons I didn’t want to go to this game and they were all there last night. 20,000 sheep botherers taking the mick and we just had to sit there and take it. Our turn will come again, but when that is who knows. The gulf in class was evident and will go some way to easing the pain at losing to your bitterest rivals, but at least football won the day and the suspected trouble never happened. Old Big ‘Ead would have been proud of a hard fought game, with some decent football at times, from two of his former teams.

Forest: Roberts, Moloney, Morgan, Breckin, McGugan, Clingan, Lennon, Commons, (Bastians 30), Holt (Sinclair 58), Dobie (Perch 78).

Attendance. 25,159
Forest. 4,753