The words Coventry City typically make me think of one man and one man only – ex- Forest midfielder Riccardo Scimeca!
As you know by now my theme in this year’s matchday programme is memorable goals and the Aston Villa man provided a stunning one against the Sky Blues back in 2002.
Highfield Road was the scene and what a football stadium that was by the way. Four stands, all pretty different, all with their own character traits and all with their own sections of nutters.
I confess it wasn’t the nicest place I’ve ever visited on my travels watching Forest. As a result, the 15-year-old me was slightly anxious rocking up in the West Midlands on that August afternoon.
One beautiful aspect of Coventry’s old ground was that away supporters were located at the side of the playing field. That must be a West Midlands thing as I’ve also sat along the side of the pitch at Wolves and more recently at Aston Villa.
The 2002/03 campaign was a brilliant season to be a Forest fan.
David Platt was consigned to the history books and in Paul Hart, the Reds had a manager willing to risk his entire reputation on playing academy players.
Gareth Williams, David Prutton and Marlon Harewood all started the game at Coventry. Eugen Bopp, Chris Doig and a youthful Andy Reid were sat on the bench.
The likes of Michael Dawson and John Thompson would also play a big part during that campaign too.
Quality
Forest’s team was a joy to behold back then. Turning up each week to watch Hart’s youngsters play teams off the park with a diamond midfield really was a sight for sore eyes.
The Reds arrived in Coventry having enjoyed a relatively decent start to the season. Wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Wimbledon were in with losses to Portsmouth and Walsall. A draw at home to Preston was thrown in for good measure.
It has to be said the game at Highfield Road wasn’t a classic, but it was settled by a goal worthy of winning any game of football.
Forest were awarded a free-kick, left of centre, about 25 yards from goal after just 15 minutes, with Scimeca taking aim.
When the Aston Villa man stood over the ball a mate of mine made the admission that ‘if he scores from there, I’m going on the pitch’, such was his belief that not in a million years would the former England under-21 international find the net.
Scimeca stepped up and curled a delicious effort into the corner of Morten Hyldgaard’s net, sending a sold-out section of Forest fans into their raptures.
Finesse
It was more about placement than power but the Forest midfielder knew exactly where he wanted the ball to go and as a result, the Sky Blues stopper stood absolutely no chance.
As for my mate, he got pitchside, saw the size of the steward and decided to just have a big slice of humble pie instead for his remarks implying that Scimeca wasn’t renowned for his free-kick taking.
I often think the midfielder was desperately undervalued in the Forest class of 2002/03.
He played 42 games for the Reds during 02/03 and his defensive qualities from midfield allowed Forest’s young guns to thrive going forwards.
Ben Watson earned a lot of praise for being the brains of the Forest team last season. Scimeca was a similar type of player and one who was equally as important to the Reds of yesteryear.
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