Reds Turn It On To Go 2nd

Nottingham Forest go second in the table with this impressive win in front of just over 26,000. They had to come from a goal behind, but an atmospheric City Ground saw the Reds put in a great show against what will be one of their closest rivals for promotion come the run in.


The game started off at a cracking pace from both sides and it was the Shrimpers who were the quicker when they took the lead as early as the 3rd min. Mark Gower beat the Reds defence to a man when he latched on to a Clingan ricochet and hit a fantastic shot from the edge of the box to see Smith well beaten.

1-0 to the visitors and the signs didn't look good. Forest though almost got one back straight away when McGugan hit a good ball into the box, but Agogo was beaten to it by the Shrimpers defence. Cohen and KC combined well, only to see Commons shot well saved by keeper Steve Collis.

Southend were still a threat as well though in what was turning into an entertaining game. They were passing the ball a lot better than Forest and were looking good for their 3rd place position. The Reds got the reward for their efforts just before the break. Clingan put the ball into the far post and an unmarked Breckin nodded the ball in from about 6 yards out. 1-1 at the break and just about fair.

The 2nd half saw Forest come out like a bull out of a gate. Straight away they were on the attack and from a Clingan free kick Chambers headed onto the post. The crowd were right behind the team tonight as they knew the effort that was being put in by the lads. Commons saw another shot whisp past the post as Forest took control. The passing that was letting them down in the 1st half had improved and the Reds were looking clinical and well organised.

With half an hour to go Tyson enters the arena and within a minute sends the City Ground crowd into raptures as he ripped the Shrimpers defence apart with his pace and hit his shot into the back of the net. Then came an incident that probably sealed the visitors fate. Chambers and Clarke got into a tussle and Clarke faked a headbut. Chambers went down like a sack of spuds and a melee broke out near the corner flag. Breckin picked up a booking for his involvement and Clarke got his marching orders for his. Chambers then incensed the visiting fans by smiling at them immediately afterwards to suggest that maybe contact was minimal to say the least. All quite unsporting, but what the heck we were 2-1 to the good.

The goal of the game came from Junior Agogo. He picked the ball up just inside their half and from 25 yards hit the sweetest shot that hugged the grass and curled away from the keeper and into the net. This was turning into quite a performance from Forest.The Reds were now rampant and were making the extra man tell. Further efforts from Commons and Tyson went close, but it was Agogo who got the 4th and his 2nd of the night with an easy header into the net.

The Reds may now have a fortnight off from League action which won't be wanted. Saturday is the FA Cup away at Lincoln and the game the following week at Carlisle looks set to be postponed due to international call ups. All in all a good night's work from Forest. Second in the League and we should be at the top.

Teams:

Forest: Smith, Chambers, Wilson, Breckin, Bennett, Clingan, McGugan, Cohen, Davies (Tyson 62), Commons (Morgan 89), Agogo (Sinclair 90).
Subs Not Used: Roberts, Thornhill.

Booked: Commons, Breckin.

Goals: Breckin 41, Tyson 65, Agogo 73, 88.

Southend: Collis, Hunt, Peter Clarke, Hammell, Barrett, Gower, McCormack (Francis 81), Moussa, Bailey, Harrold (Hooper 81), Leon Clarke.
Subs Not Used: Maher, MacDonald, Richards.

Sent Off: Leon Clarke (67).

Booked: Harrold, Bailey, McCormack.

Goals: Gower 3.

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