Billy Davies’ second game as Nottingham Forest manager saw the Reds beat Huddersfield Town 6-1 to take them within six points of the play-off places. Scott Frearson offers a fan’s eye view from the City Ground.
Just under 27,000 fans turned out on a chilly Tuesday evening to watch what would turn out to be a fantastic performance from the Reds. In the early stages of the game Forest came out of the blocks very slow while Huddersfield looked really dangerous, hitting the post within five minutes and eventually scoring on 10 minutes with a cute finish from James Vaughan.
After that Forest seemed to wake up. Dexter Blackstock came close with a header and then man of the match Radi Majewski levelled the contest with a tap-in on 21 minutes. Next it was the turn of Elliott Ward, a great glancing header from another great cross from Andy Reid. Forest seemed to be really dominant in midfield – Henri Lansbury and Adlene Guedioura never really looked stretched.
On 37 minutes Majewski had his second. Thanks to a cute back-heel from Lansbury and a lay-off from Blackstock, he smashed it hard and low into the bottom corner. But what was to come from Majewski was reminiscent of his Derby goal a few seasons back. He let fly from 25 yards and the ball flew into the roof of the net via the crossbar. At 4-1 up, the players walked off to a standing ovation at half-time.
Second-half started where we left off, Huddersfield looking dangerous at times and, bar a few decent saves from Karl Darlow, they could have given themselves a lifeline. But Forest struck again in the 55th minute with Lansbury scoring a great solo goal which he thorougly deserved. A million pound looks a bargain as he seems a different player under Billy Davies.
After that Forest slowed the pace and Ward was taken off for Danny Collins which coincided with Huddersfield coming a bit more into the game. Another great chance for them saw Vaughan somehow missing from 10 yards with just Darlow to beat.
We still look uncertain at the back at times. I thought if Huddersfield had a decent striker this game could have finished a lot closer. There were a few more chances for Simon Cox and what looked like a decent penalty shout when ex-Forest man Joel Lynch brought down Blackstock, but the referee played on. At 5-1 Forest were looking to see the game out and brought on Lewis McGugan and Darius Henderson for Lansbury and Blackstock.
In the 90th minute Henderson sealed a great night’s work from a pinpoint cross from Reid and he finished with a bullet header. The full-time whistle blew and the players walked off to a standing ovation again. It’s nights like this that the fans have missed – pride, passion and work-rate from the Reds. Let’s hope this isn’t just the honeymoon period for ‘King’ Billy. Roll on Saturday, Charlton away and hopefully another three points.
You can follow Scott on Twitter: @outlawfan1977
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