FANtastic Reds March On

This was a game billed by many as a potential banana skin for Forest, but in the end Orient were swept aside by a rampant and confident Forest, who look like they are finding their best form of the season. The result means all is set for a dramatic and nervy final day with Bristol needing to beat already relegated Rotherham and us needing to do the business over Crewe. Hold on to your pants, because the fun is just beginning.

The game got off to a poor start for Forest when one time target Matty Lockwood put the O's in front with a well worked goal. Chambers fed a neat ball that saw Lockwood through on goal with no Forest player in sight. The defender had all the time in the world to hit his shot passed Smith and put Orient 1 up after only 9 mins. Forest made an almost instant reply, when Holt had a header go close from a Commons corner. The Reds did equalise soon after with a great individual goal from Lester. The striker won the ball in midfield and beat Gutteridge and cooly shot passed Garner from 15 yards to give the Reds a deserved goal. Forest were playing it to feet and with Perch, McGugan and Prutton all on song, Forest were in control. Wright and Chambers were solid at the back and even Breckin had raised his game and was winning every tackle. Hardly a pass went astray and Forest took the lead on 29 mins when Commons latched on to a good pass from Lester and sent a low shot into the corner of the net. A dominant Forest saw Orient have only one real effort in the half other than the goal as Smith was to get an easy afternoon.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with Forest knocking it about well. Orient despite their endeavours were no real threat. They had some enterprising play, but no end product. Lester and Commons were ripping the O's defence to shreds and Grolt should have added to his tally when he failed to put away a Commons throughball that saw him clear on goal, his header was well saved by Garner who got a stretched hand to the ball. The points were finally sealed when Commons and Lester combined well for the third. Commons lofted a ball over the wall from a free kick where Lester slid the ball under Garner from 6 yards. 3-1 and no less than they deserved for a commanding display from the Reds.

The City Ground is all set for a full house next week and the place could be rocking if the unthinkable happens and Bristol fail to get a result at home to Rotherham. The Forest fans at Orient deserve special mention for their outstanding support of the lads today. For 90 mins they encouraged and cheered the Reds on. They even applauded the news that despite their loss, Orient were safe, this was in turn reciprocated by them when they heard the Bristol score. Calderwood went berserk with the fans when the final whistle came and was appreciative of the showing from 1,400 travelling fans.

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