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| Forest 2 Wolves 2 06/03/2002 |
| Match Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Report by JD Wolf Before the game I said this could be one of those games, a certain amount of bad blood between us, Forest having all sorts of financial problems (not that I'm sympathetic after the lack of support from anyone during the Bhatti years), a team full of young players and Wolves looking to equal a record 8 straight wins. Forest had not scored more than one home goal since December, the writing on the wall? Another healthy travelling Wolves contingent braved the wind to cheer us on, the pre match "huddle" sparking the fans into life. (I must admit I think that this - although not original - is an excellent idea , but think the "hacka" that the New Zealand rugby team do would be better). The game opened with a bang as both teams sprinted out of the blocks. With only 4 mins on the clock, a cross was turned back towards their keeper, which Sturridge latched onto and powered the ball home, but the ref in his infinite wisdom ruled it out for offside. I may not be fully clued up on the offside rule, but how can you be offside from a back pass? Another refereeing decision against us. However, on 11 mins Sturridge got his sweet revenge. Blake used his strength to great effect by turning one of their defenders to feed Camara who floated into the area, crossed to Sturridge who gratefully accepted his 18th goal for Wolves. 1.0 and cruising. It was all Wolves now as we took control and looked hungry for more. Wolves had all the play but couldn't find any more of a safety cushion. Right on the stroke of half time, Forest came alive and were given added confidence as the Wolves defence looked in tatters, luckily for us one of their strikers trod on the ball from 6 yards out when it was easier to score. Half time 1.0 to Wolves. Wolves started the second half rather subdued, did they think it was already won? Within 9 mins Forest had equalised and not without some merit. A poorly organised defence allowed a tame cross to be turned in;1.1 and game on. The goal didn't really spark the Wolves team into life and it looked like, if anything, Forest would score. However, on the hour, we showed our fighting spirit (something that has painfully not been there in previous seasons), with Joleon Lescott guiding a sweet header over their stranded keeper to restore our lead. I must admit, I thought that this was now another 3 points, but Forest battled back and deservedly equalised for the second time on 67 mins, with a spectacular volley to beat Oakes, 2.2! This gave even more impetus to them as they got the bit between their teeth and almost a got a third just after with another fierce volley just brushing the post. Wolves seemed very sluggish, we had been all over them at the beginning of the first half, then took their foot off the gas; once this had happened it was very difficult to regain any kind of momentum. Blake had an excellent opportunity to restore our lead with two snap shots from 6 yards out which somehow was saved twice, and not long after he was subbed for Ndah - much to his disgust yet again, especially after Sturridge's number was put up first, before the officials managed to save their embarrassment. The game was now end to end with either side capable of snatching a winner. And it was wolves in shape of Shaun Newton who almost did just that with a close range effort that their keeper just managed to get hold of. Full time 2.2. At the end honours even and probably justified. If anyone would have said we would get a draw here at the beginning of the season I would have said yes. Davy Jones seemed to think that we should have won and, well being biased, so would I, but you can't keep winning every game. Ten points clear of third placed pondlife, with 8 games left maybe we won't get 100+ points or even win the title but just the thought of promotion will keep me smiling all summer. Keep it up, the promised land is within smelling distance.
Attendance: 21,010
Goals: Wolves: Sturridge (11 mins), Lescott (60 mins) Forest: Gray (54 mins) Harewood (67 mins) Best Player: Lescott (2 votes) Blake (1 vote)
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| Average player ratings are taken from a number of newspapers, magazines and web-sites ...more.... |
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