Clarets Left Blue By Taylor

Burnley continue to search for their first win away from home since September, a 16-game run that has put them deep in the battle to avoid relegation. Yet their lead at the interval could have been more than one goal. On a night for former players making their presence felt, Ian Moore, who briefly played for Forest, showed an exquisite touch after 15 minutes when checking back to feed Neil Wood, whose shot Barry Roche could only parry. Richard Chaplow was swiftest to the rebound to score.

Forest continued to dominate possession after the break, with Andy Reid, their creative catalyst, taking responsibility with some penetrative runs and it was no great surprise when an equaliser arrived. “It’s sod’s law that Gareth scored,” Stan Ternent, the Burnley manager, said. “He’ s a good lad and unfortunately I’ve never replaced him. It would have to be him, wouldn’t it?”

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-4-2): B Roche — M Louis-Jean (sub: A Impey, 62min), M Dawson, W Morgan, D Walker (sub: J Thompson, 24) — E Jess, D Sonner, G Williams, A Reid — N Barmby (sub: D Johnson, 62), G Taylor. Substitutes not used: P Formann, C Westcarr. Booked: Dawson.

BURNLEY (4-4-2): B Jensen — D West, D May, G Branch, M Camara — G Little, A Grant (sub: M McGregor, 79), R Chaplow, N Wood (sub: P Weller, 77) — I Moore, R Blake. Substitutes not used: N Abbey, P Scott, R Townsend.

Referee: R Olivier.

 

Taylor to the rescue for Forest
Independent

Burnley's manager, Stan Ternent, said Gareth Taylor offered his apologies after scoring the 80th-minute goal that earned Nottingham Forest a 1-1 against his former employers at the City Ground last night. The draw left both under threat of relegation from the First Division.

The Welshman, reluctantly sold by Burnley, fired home a left-foot drive to cancel out Richard Chaplow's opener for his fourth goal in eight games since Joe Kinnear replaced Paul Hart as Forest's manager. Ternent said: "It would have to be Gareth Taylor wouldn't it? He came up to me at the end and said 'sorry gaffer' - but he's a good lad."
 

FOREST 1 BURNLEY 1

Sun

BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent shook Gareth Taylor warmly by the hand — when he must have felt like shaking him by the throat!

Taylor, sold for £500,000 by Ternent early in the season, grabbed Nottingham Forest’s 80th-minute equaliser in this Division One relegation dogfight.

The Welsh strike ace, 31, clearly enjoys playing against his former side as he hit the target on his Forest debut in a 3-0 September win at Turf Moor.

Ternent admitted: “I suppose it’s sod’s law that it turned out to be Gareth who robbed us of the extra points.

“But he’s a good lad and I’ve been able to replace him in my squad. It just would have to be him, though, wouldn’t it?”

Forest were searching in vain for a leveller to rob Burnley of their first success at the City ground in nearly 40 years when Taylor pounced.

Andy Reid jabbed the ball through in a crowded penalty area and there was a suspicion of hands before Taylor battered his shot beyond keeper Brian Jensen. Ternent added: “My players are a bit disappointed.

“However, any point at this stage of the season is a good one.

“I was given the response from my lads that I asked for in the wake of a 4-0 defeat at Coventry. Now, we can look forward with a little more confidence to Saturday’s home match against Wimbledon.”

Taylor is enjoying a renewed lease of life under new Forest boss Joe Kinnear with four goals in eight outings since Paul Hart was replaced in the Forest hotseat.

And Forest went close to poaching an unlikely victory but sub David Johnson, returning from injury, saw his header crash against the bar.

At least Burnley, without an away victory in 16 trips, made sure Forest remain close to them among the strugglers. Teenager Richard Chaplow nicked them in front after 15 minutes, seizing the chance when home keeper Barry Roche spilled Neil Wood’s angled drive from the left.

Ian Moore, twice, Wood and Dean West all threatened to double their advantage before the break.

But Forest pulled themselves together in the second period, mounting much more pressure, even though that left them open at the back and created one or two hair-raising moments.

Kinnear said: “Gareth is getting better all the time. I try to encourage him, the same as I do all of Forest’s players.

“He is always a handful and in my view it would have been a total injustice if we had ended up empty-handed despite what Burnley might claim.”


CLARETS LEFT BLUE BY TAYLOR

The Mirror

BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent revealed Gareth Taylor apologised after scoring the late goal which earned Nottingham Forest a point against his former side.

The Wales international smashed home a fierce left-foot drive to cancel out Richard Chaplow's opener as the spoils were shared in this relegation clash at the City Ground.

Taylor's strike was his fourth in eight games and it left Ternent frustrated.

He said: "It would have to be Gareth Taylor, wouldn't it? He came up to me at the end and said 'sorry gaffer' - he's a good lad."

David Johnson, who has just returned after recovering from a broken leg, came off the bench and almost won it for Forest with a header.

And boss Joe Kinnear was full of praise for the striker.

"Johnno was lively when he came on," said Kinnear. "It was no more than a lick of paint that kept that header out."



 

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