As per last weekend at Tottenham I left the ground thinking that this game falls into the category of “games that in years gone by we’d have lost”, thank heaven for small mercies…..
We used to go to a pub at the end of a busy road in Nottingham I can’t even think what it was called, it was cack but it was where we went, then it shut sometime between Marcus Stewarts late winner (remember that boys and girls?) and the pre-season friendly this summer (summer?… pah!) and as a result we stumbled upon a little gem called the Stratford Haven, just a few yards from Trent Bridge and a bit further from the Forest ground – quality Guinness and quality food, excellent start to the night.
My mood was further enhanced by the team which showed a strong line up including Djibril “He’s got 234 songs already” Cisse, Pascal returned to right back and Barsdley switched to left back and basically the team stayed pretty much as was, good enough for me Mr Keane thankyou. The game started pretty brightly for us but I have to tell you, sitting five rows up I could see fuck all apart from the back of the Forest goalie, the net and the crossbar….sorry if this spoils my usually accurate (ahem) recollections of the game. Forest played some good stuff across the line (I think), we had chances (so I’m told) but a combination of good goalkeeping and poor finishing meant we went in at half time level. Possibly the worst moment was Malbranque going off which I hoped was precautionary but now am not sure – it certainly reduced the creativity, particularly as Rico was missing anyway. It was poor, even with my awful vantage point I could tell that but we were still in it and things would improve, I hoped.
At least in the 2nd half the lads were kicking towards the Forest goalie, net and crossbar in front of me which meant I had a slightly better view, unfortunately we didn’t do too much attacking and infact the football got worse, the game deteriorated and Forest scored through a silly free kick from a sloppy Nyron tackle and a goofy Welshman. Here we go again we thought, another defeat to lower league opposition in the early stages of a cup….except we’re made of sterner stuff these days and after the very effective Grant Leadbitters introduction helped to give us a bit of impetus and bite in the middle of the park, Liam Miller hit a shot which the goalie again did well to parry out but only as far as Diouf who turned the ball back towards goal and Bardsley (knowing I had an awful view presumably) stood right in front of us almost on the line and turned the ball into the net (although as it was Bardo’s first EVER goal for anyone I’ll say it was an erm, scissor kick volley from the edge of the box) and off we went to extra time. I did think before the game that extra time was the last thing I wanted having started the day at 4.30 am with a flight to Stansted, but, given the circumstances I hurriedly changed my mind.
Extra time started exactly as I hoped, Leadbitter did well to win the ball in the middle of the park, exchanged passes with Cisse, turned inside a defender, hit a shot that the keeper parried as far as Healy who did what strikers do and buried the chance – mass relief all round at our end it has to be said. Other than a looping header from Chambers (I think) which hit the top of the crossbar the rest of the extra period passed by without too much incident and we’re in the hat for the next round, bar a few knocks and bruises, relatively unscathed.
Man of the Match – Andy Reid – never put a foot wrong throughout the 120 minutes despite the tiresome chants and boos from jealous Forest fans. Grant Leadbitter ran him close as he grabbed hold of a game that was running away from us, he must realise that he has to raise the bar with his own performances due to the summer arrivals… so far so good mate, always good to see a local lad doing well by the way.
Cheers
Paul (TAFKARLC)