12th Aug
2000
Score
1-0
Venue:
City Ground

Attendance:
21,029


Referee:
Mr P.Taylor

Goal 1:
Jon Olav Hjelde
77 mins

It was a glorious, hot, sunny day and a large crowd decided to descend on the City Ground at the last minute. Albion brought a good crowd as well and the atmosphere was reminiscent of seasons gone by. The Upper Trent End is sold out for the Season and A Block were in good form. So, everything was set for a great day. It was good to see Bart-Williams given the captain's armband again, quietly taking control in midfield.

From the first whistle the pace was fast and furious. On 9 minutes Rogers passed to Harewood who put the ball over the bar. Forest's next chance came on 21 when Rogers crossed the ball to Jones who only just headed wide. Then on 24 mins Prutton crossed from the right to Johnson who headed over. On 34 Harewood was through on goal but the keeper covered the ball. Johnson was substituted on 35 minutes with a hamstring problem and Louis-Jean came on. Just before half time Hughes went clear on goal. But rather than shoot he managed to stumble under Hjelde's feet to appeal for a penalty. Luckily the linesman had a good view and didn't award it.

All in all it was not a good half and we could only hope for better in the second. And it proved to be one of those matches that the phrase 'a game of two halves' was made for. Platt moved Scimeca into midfield and this proved to be an inspired move. On 52 mins Prutton came down the wing, into the box, his shot was saved and Scimeca nearly put the rebound away. The play was fast and furious and the noise of the crowd rose to the occasion. On 54 mins Lester came on for Harewood who had not played his normal game. On 55 Scimeca headed over and straight after at the other end Roberts forced Beasant to make a good save. On 63 Beasant dropped the ball to Prutton who made a great run down the middle, slid the ball to Scimeca who had his shot saved. Prutton followed up but shot over. Lester missed a great opportunity to score but put the ball wide. Scimeca forced a great save from Jensen. We were beginning to think that Forest would never get their much deserved goal and it came from the most unlikely source.
The ball came in from a corner to find Hjelde who headed the ball into the net. This is the first goal from a corner for Forest since Hooijdonk scored against Derby two seasons ago. On 85 mins it looked like we would be in for a second goal as Lester send the ball lobbing over Jensen. But it took a strange bounce and went over the net.

As is always the case when Forest go in front, the other team come back and we seemed all over the place for a while. Roberts made another good save and we all prayed for the final whistle. From somewhere the ref managed to find some injury time but he finally blew and we put the first three points behind us.