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Harrogate Town 0 v 1 Morecambe
SkyBet League Two
Saturday, 20th March 2021 Kick-off 15:00
DanLyles added 19:19 - Mar 30
Most definitely a game of two halves! I couldn't believe it when we conceded early on again. We defended pretty well for the rest of the game though with Berra and Smith again excellent. They must be one of the best defensive combinations in the league.

In the second half we came to life with Williams getting on the ball more. Yet again though Anderson and Hunt lacked an end product out wide and at times there movement was very poor. We looked far more threatening when thy were replaced by Ebanks-Blake and Nouble, who formed a front 3 with Murphy and Williams in behind.

Nouble was unrecognisable compared to the player who began the season. His first touch was good, he shielded the ball well and ran at defenders, eventually producing the cross for Murpy's goal. These 3 looked a real threat and only an outstanding performance from Darlow prevented us from securing a 3rd straight win.

The two most frustrating facets of the game for me were the lack of movement and penetration out wide before SEB and Nouble came on. And the poor crossing and general use of the ball by Chambers. I hope Hewitt is continuing to make good progress at Gillingham as his footballing ability would add to our attacking threat.
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unstableblue added 22:48 - Mar 30
Portman Road basked in glorious sunshine, spring had sprung, but the warm weather and optimism garnered from a revived play-off challenge failed to draw in the crowds. Forest fans had travelled in number, and were in good early voice. But the Town support grew as the Town players woke up for the second half - and it was quite raucous come the end.

It was the classic game off two halves. Forest's young, unproven side, were buoyed by a lacklustre start from Town. Williams was isolated from the off. And Forest enjoyed superior passing and running with the ball. This was yet another team coming to Portman Road and appearing far better with the ball, crisp passing and few errors. This was a Forest team in terrible form, and depleted by injury. A young starter Osbourne made his debut, and is well down the pecking order. Yet Mick decided on the more defensive Skuse over Wordsworth, but crucially continued with the failing Hunt and Anderson. Tuesday night's storming performance from Nouble (yes Frank) and the improving Wordsworth was clearly not part of a game plan keep it tight.

But in many ways attack is defense. Skuse and Hyam could not connect with the excellent Williams nor Murphy. And Hunt and Anderson continued their fashion of being unable to turn wide possession into meaningful attack or entry into the oppositions penalty area. Indeed Anderson failed in some defensive duties as well.

Forest were liberated, and scored a well worked goal, removing some of the much needed energy of the Portman Road crowd. Indeed Forest could have been 3 up by half time, with one excellent save by Gerken when the Forest striker really should have scored.

SEB was introduced I assume for an injured Anderson (who to his credit probably picked up when a knock trying to break though and being horribly blocked off by halford) and this forced Forest to sit deeper, and Williams was much more involved. He is a class player, and a joy to watch. He's worth the ticket, and we've lacked that exciting player since McGoldricks injury. The young Welsh maestro has such low centre of gravity, and is so strong on the ball, combine this with quick feet and he invariably either beats the man or draws the foul. Greening moaned about diving but Williams was just too sharp for him.

Into half time and you could see Nouble was being warmed up to come on immediately and so it proved. I have criticised Frank, earlier in the season some of his touch and decision making, plus his awareness did not strike me as being of a quality to become a true asset to the club. Again against Forest, following up a game changing sub appearance against Derby, he was dynamic and showed good control at his feet and an ability to beat a man and deliver good service. Mick and TC deserve great credit for believing and developing this player - who's strength and fitness was never in doubt.

So Micks half time talk and the removal of hunt and Anderson and a return to the more attack minded shape that finished so well against derby - Ipswich were transformed. Many at the bar at half time were bemoaning Ipswich's ability to not deliver for the big games. Well that worry was soon dismissed. Town were electric. This was entertainment, this was the kind of play people will return to see. Nouble and Williams were at the heart of everything. And hyam was bossing the midfield. Forest still retained a threat, and had one excellent chance. But smith and even more so Berra were imperious shepherding defenders wide and mopping up pressure. SEB's strength was causing problems and he had a great chance. One concern though was SEBs inability to beat halford onto through balls, there were many - this negative aspect may have had a lot to do with poor service with hyams distribution in question again.

But this is a small grip over what was a great second half performance. Numerous town crosses though were failing to trouble the tricky trees. And it was a moment of nouble class, receiving the ball short from a corner, breaking forward and delivering a measure cross for murphy. Murphy then had a golden chance he did everything right, but if only he'd seen Green completely free to his right, rather than focussing on getting the ball into his left foot for a shot.

Green did quite well when introduced, but I would have liked to have see Wordsworth as we needed some attacking passing to backfill the shattered Williams.

But in the end we didn't carve enough clear chances in the 2nd half - albeit murphy curled a lovely shot which was well saved, albeit it was pretty telegraphed.

A draw was a fair result given Forest's quality in the first half and the chances they carved.

So an entertaining and passionate match day, and we were happy in terms of spectacle. But the crowd size was disappointing. And I just wish Mick had gone for it with the attacking formation seen in the second half, from the off. Why play hunt and Anderson on their current form, over Nouble and SEB and Wordsworth.

But 7 points from Brighton, Derby and Forest is a good return. Especially as what was a very weakened Forest side actually gave a very good account of themselves.

Oh one foot note - Cresswell was looking a class apart today, real Premiership quality in terms of touch and passing. Only matched by Williams and a few Forest players.
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