Town gained well earned revenge for their recent 1-0 home (well Playford Road) defeat at the hands of Forest and David Johnson with a 2-1 victory at the City Ground in front of a few hundred frozen fans (including a handful of Tractor Boys).
The Town goals came from Darren Bent and Tommy Miller - one in each half with a Brian Cash goal for Forest sandwiched in between. Town lined up 4-4-2: Salmon, Wilnis, J Miller, Gaardsøe, Snowdon, Croft, Bloomfield, T Miller, D Bent, Ambrose and Le Pen.
Not being a reserve team regular I was surprised to see Croft playing in a combative central midfield role, whilst Snowdon whose reserve debut at the City Ground last year was in midfield, was tonight playing left-back.
As for Forest, with David Johnson on loan to Sheffield Wednesday, the only ex-Town player on view was Tony Vaughan. Otherwise they did have a few first team fringe youngsters on show - most notable were Eugene Bopp and Keith Foy who apparently if you believe the locals have promising futures.
Anyway, to the game, which was rather scrappy so I'll be brief (not to mention I don't have the memory or notes of Old Git).
First Half highlights were: 1) Darren Bent heading in Ulrich Le Pen's left by-line cross. 2) Tony Vaughan being booked. 3) Shouting Ipswich reject at Tony Vaughan to the amusement of a few Forest fans. 4) Tommy Miller attempting a Berkovic style volley from the edge of the box - but hitting the ball weakly into the ground. 5) Ian Smith yelling at Ambrose and Bent to keep apart and spread out up front.
Second half highlights were: 1) Forest equalising (well a lowlight then) after some poor defending on the Town left - neither Snowdon & Gaardsøe on this side had good games. 2) Tony Vaughan being substituted. 3) Darren Bent intercepting a Forest defender and setting up Tommy Miller who scuffed a weakish looking shot into the far corner. The Forest keeper Roche appeared to think it was going wide - maybe he was deceived by the Miller scuff! 4) Forest immediately hitting the post after Town had scored 5) Justin Miller surging the length of the pitch only to hit his shot well over after a one-two with Bent. 6) Couple of good passes from sub Dickinson.
Hmmmm not a great game, but a win and a good performance from Darren Bent who was involved in all Town's good moves. My marks would be: Salmon 6, Wilnis 7, Snowdon 5 (Richards 76th), Gaardsøe 6, J Miller 7, Croft 6, T Miller 7, Bloomfield 6 (Dickinson 71st), Bent 8, Ambrose 7, Le Pen 6 (Beevers 81st). Of the three subs used Dickinson looked lively, whilst Richards, the first year professional praised recently by Dale Roberts, looked solid in place of Snowdon.
Thanks to James Reeves for that report at very short notice.