The Flying Scotsman sends the Royals back on track


By Matthew Grant
January 30 2004

A single goal by Scott Murray was enough to give Reading their first win of 2004 and continue Forest's run of no win in 15 games. A much-improved Reading performance that will give some hope to our Play-Off hopes. New Page 1 Yearly review

Match Report: Nottingham Forest 0:1 Reading
Nicky Forster made a return to the starting line up partnering Shaun Goater. Kevin Watson started in midfield and Steve Brown returned to the centre of defence alongside Adrian Williams. Reading were without a win in seven whereas Nottingham Forest had not won a game in fourteen which had put the pressure on manager Paul Hart. They were still missing key players Michael Dawson and David Johnson who are sidelined for a lengthy period and of course Marlon Harewood has since moved on to West Ham. So Marlon King and Gareth Taylor started upfront for the Forest.

Forest started brightly with Andy Reid looking particularly dangerous and they managed to claim some early corners and shots at goal. It was clearly evident why they were down the bottom of the table with them lacking any confidence in front of goal. Nicky Forster's pace was causing them problems down the other end creating a couple of chances for strike partner Shaun Goater but both his efforts were off target. Reading then created there best opportunity when a threw ball from the midfield found Forster and as he was about to shoot he was tackled from behind and brought down. TV replays clearly show it was a penalty but nothing was given and Forest were given a big let off. Though the referee was poor all afternoon but how the Linesman did not see it is unclear. That what they are there to do, help out the referee but this one obviously not man enough to make the decision. It could have proved costly for the Royals but it was not much longer before we took a deserved lead. Forster's persistence paid off when he got away from a defender and played a ball in to Scott Murray who found the bottom corner. There was clear relief to the players and fans alike. They held onto the lead and went in at half time leading the game by a goal to nil.

Half Time: Nottingham Forest 0:1 Reading

Neither team made changes at half time but Paul Hart's half time talk obviously did the trick as his team took the game to Reading but were still lacking that killer last touch to find the back of the net. Reading's only hope of doubling there lead was on the counter attack but they were few and far between. In recent weeks Reading looked like cracking and conceding but today they held strong and gave one of the best defensive displays of the season thanks to some great blocks and tackles and Hahnemann made some important saves and catches. Paul Hart tried to selvage something by bringing on another attacking option but it was just not going to happen. Coppell also made a change by bringing on Lloyd Owusu to replace Goater. 

In injury time Scott Murray was made to leave the pitch injured after a tackle and then a 10 man melee which was sparked after Murray went down, the Forest fans next to the incident were clearly not impressed as they had to be held back by police. The Royals hanged on and claimed there first win of 2004 and hopefully back on the road to the Play-Offs.

Full Time: Nottingham Forest: 0:1 Reading

Man Of The Match: A number of top performances. It has to go to a defender today and I will give it to Brown.

Ref Watch: Poor to say the least could not play advantage and his officials were just as bad.

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