Forest 1, Watford 1 - final score
A goal from Troy Deeney helped Watford deny Nottingham Forest a valuable win on an emotional day at the City Ground.
A fine strike from Garath McCleary had given Steve Cotterill's side the lead in the 19th minute, on an afternoon that had begun with a minute's applause for Reds owner Nigel Doughty, who was found dead at his home last weekend.
But, while Forest had produced a much improved performance, they were denied what would have been a vital and poignant win when Deeney pounced on the stroke of half-time.
The Reds still managed to carve out a host of opportunities to win the game, with Chris Gunter in particular seeing three golden chances go begging, as he hit the bar, was denied by keeper Scott Loach and fired a third effort over the bar.
The final score was harsh on Forest, who had dominated for long periods, but it still meant a sixth game without a win, as the club continue their struggle against relegation in the Championship.
Both sides made a cautious start to the game, although it was Forest who showed the greater menace, largely through set-pieces.
Danny Higginbotham, making his debut alongside both Scott Wootton and George Elokobi in a new look back four, struck a vicious free kick that cannoned back off the defensive wall.
While skipper Luke Chambers threatened with a firm, downward header after a foul on Chris Gunter, who was playing on the right wing, earned another free kick in a dangerous position. Lloyd Doyley picked up the game's first yellow card for conceding the foul.
Marlon Harewood also saw a shot charged down following another set-piece move, which caused a moment of panic in the Watford defence.
Forest made the breakthrough in comprehensive fashion, as Garath McCleary ended the club's goal famine in emphatic fashion.
It had been ten hours and 49 minutes since they had last found the net but, when Watford backed off the winger, he let fly with a crisp low shot from 25-yards that left keeper Scott Loach grasping at thin air as it fizzed inside the far post.
The Forest team united in a goal celebration that saw them point to the sky, in a clear mark of respect to former chairman Doughty.
It could have been 2-0 almost immediately, as Forest twice came close to adding another.
Firstly the advancing Gunter saw a clever, lofted shot beat Loach but bounce shot of finding the net.
While, when Miller had turned well on the edge of the box, it gave the striker the chance to surge through the middle, only to be denied by Loach, who did well to hold his powerful shot.
McCleary came close to notching a second of his own when a neat passage of play ended with him collecting possession on the edge of the box, before steering a powerful low shot towards the bottom corner, where Loach got down well to block.
Miller's pace took him beyond Doyley down the right, but Loach again intervened with a good take when the striker whipped the ball towards Harewood at the near post.
Alex Kacaniklic came close to pulling Watford level with a mazy run that ended with a shot driven into the side netting.
And the visitors did manage to claw one back when Sean Murray lifted a precise free kick into the box for Troy Deeney to attack, which the striker did with gusto, flicking a pin-point header over Lee Camp and into the top corner of the net.
A probing run from McCleary helped Forest kick-start the second half in promising fashion but, when he flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal, nobody was able to provide the crucial touch.
Miller did equally well when he cut in from the right side, before striking a clean shot that was well blocked by Doyley.
Guedioura flashed a free kick narrowly wide of the post, after Moussi had been fouled 25 yards from goal.
Harewood did brilliantly to escape the attentions of three players just inside the box, before lifting a cross towards the far post.
Gunter's technique was equally impressive, as he let fly with a powerful volley, but the ball cannoned back off the bar and away to safety.
When McCleary outstripped the Watford defence down the left, Gunter was again the man picked out at the far post – and the Welsh international again got a shot away, this time to be denied by a smart save from Loach.
Guedioura had demonstrated his willingness to shoot from range when he made his debut against Burnley.
And the on-loan Wolves man's attitude had not changed as he twice tried hs luck from distance, as Forest went in search of a goal to restore their lead.
Guedioura had yet another shot charged down and, following another McCleary cross, Gunter headed over as Forest began to build some serious pressure.
Loach had a fortunate escape when Harewood closed him down on the edge of the box, but the keeper's clearance bounced back off the striker and into touch.
Forest suffered a scare when John Eustace, having ghosted into the box, smashed an instant shot against the bar.
But the home side continued to create chances at will, with McCleary tearing another hole in the Watford defence, before again picking out Gunter at the far post, where the winger was this time guilty of a bad miss, lifting his shot over with the goal at his mercy.
Robbie Findley spurned the best chance however, when an outstanding pass from fellow sub Andy Reid sent him racing clear in injury time, only for the American's first touch to let him down, as he prodded the ball straight into the arms of an advancing Loach.
52 Comments
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by flipflopper
Monday, February 13 2012, 7:11AM
“Camsbred, with comments like yours, it shows you are more of a liability to the club than any member of the staff.”
by patbrett
Monday, February 13 2012, 4:03AM
“Hey, I did not spout nasty things about him. I said, I did'nt think he was up to Championship level. I sincerely hope im wrong, and would love to be wrong. But it was just an honest opinion, since when is that nasty????”
by drjkgjkdf
Monday, February 13 2012, 1:21AM
“Felt sorry for gunter, he was a great outlet for us but never had his shooting boots on, they were not all sitters but he should of converted at least one of them. Still think he is a excellent player. If only blackstock was on the end of one of those delightful crosses from our left winger.
Guedioura was class and wolves must have some top notch midfielders for him to not be getting a sniff although they struggled big time ealier against WBA. That worries me now, they may recall him!
Big off you wrexham to come on here and admit you were wrong about mccleary who was by far the 2nd best player on the pitch just being pipped by Guedioura for MOM. Shame the rest of them were not as quick as they were to come on here earlier on in the week to spout there nasty comments on him to do the same. And we wonder why our players lack the confidence to perform.
Idiots: redboz, patbrett, smoot_bc, bunchof trolls, trentender1, paulywills1”
by cafka2020
Sunday, February 12 2012, 7:45PM
“Although he didn't have a bad game yesterday I would still start with Chambers on the bench. Higginbotham was the captain yesterday for all intents and purposes and was running the show. Time to make him captain in name as well and get Lynch back in.”
by cambsred
Sunday, February 12 2012, 7:34PM
“we will be lucky if we win another game this season, although our performances are getting better we are still totally way behind most teams in this league. we will be in league 1 again next season and hopefully have a decent manager in charge. i never thought i'd say this but i would rather have billy back then SC, he hasn't got a clue. Hopefully when we lose to Coventry next week the board will finally sack him.”
by richardw11
Sunday, February 12 2012, 5:01PM
“I though that yesterday gave me hope that we can finish 21st. The difference was Gueioura - what a player - like Moussi but with skill. If only we could have got hols of him 12 months ago - we might be in the Prem now. I still think that it is in our hands. We play Cov, Donny, Bristol and Milwall at home - if we can get 9 out of 12 there, I honestly think that we can do it. Miller and Harewood weren't too bad, and to be fair to Findley he won as many headers in 15 mins as Harwood did in 75, but that chance at the end said it all. If only that would've been Earnie, we'd be 2 points better off. If it's tru that Miller is on £17k, then he must have the best agent in thr world - sorry but there must be a dozn forwards better than him in Div 3. WBA must've seen us coming. McCleary on the right and surely Reid can play 45 mins on the left. Where is Majewski ?? One good performance mean nowt if we don't follow it up with another good performance - if we can get 4 points in the next 2 games I will start to believe again - but this manager and players have got it all to do.
One other point regarding Nigel Doughty's tragic passing; he said that he'd provide funding for the contracts of the players signed under his Chairmanship - so that's 90% of the squad. But if we go down and Miller, Camp, Gunter etc etc are sold, then there is no liability. Had the great man lived, I wonder if his approach would've been just that - "I will pay them while they're here, but if they are sold, then I have no obligation". The next 12 months are going to be VERY trying.”
by tfaulkner
Sunday, February 12 2012, 4:43PM
“Need a goalscorer desperately. if Earnshaw available get him in. Cant see any of the others scoring enough to keep us up. Less goals scored than games played tells the story.”
by GeoffAC
Sunday, February 12 2012, 4:35PM
“martyn_miami looking in the mirror again whilst speaking of plastic fans who only listen to Forest on the radio. Would you like me to give you directions to the City Ground miami? yes, that's the name of the Forest ground miami and yes again miami, the City ground IS in Nottingham. What was that again miami, you need directions to Nottingham cos you've never been here? Just as I thought.”
by martyn_miami
Sunday, February 12 2012, 4:05PM
“Good afternoon forest fans( who go home and away) and plastic fans(who listern to the radio)
2 points lost i feel rather than 1 point gained. i feel this was the game that religated us 5 points behind and cant beat a very poor watford who are appauling away from home. and with teams like borough,leicester, derby and crystal palace to play we are doomed.
we should of gone for a natural goalscorer like ben marshall instead of harewood and miller.and we would of avoided teh drop and maybe achieved the playoffs.
quiet excited playing in the 3rd divison next season we will be able to compete and win the odd game. which makes it worthwile following them instead of getting stuffed week in week out and not scoring, plus i got faily in brentford and carlise.
nice to see the ND haters did not show up yesterday maybe they to ashamed to come back to the city ground and rightly so.
NOT THE SORT OF GUY TO SAY I TOLD YOU SO UTTTTTTTT I TOLD YOU SO”
by BrindersGod
Sunday, February 12 2012, 3:46PM
“Cotterill should get credit for a brave team selection. Sd afterwards the players had to be committed and more than a hint that refers to non-selection of McGugan and Anderson.
That was the best balanced I've seen from Forest and a lot of that was due to Gueioura, who is the attacking midfielder we need. Moose looked more comfortable as a result. Obvious weaknesses were Marlon, who is nowhere near up to it. Praise for Gunter for getting into goalscoring positions - which Anderson rarely does - but he looks very uncomfortable in that role.
Miller is on 17k a week, according to best information. Obviously Tudgay is number one choice up front with a big man and, for all his poor workrate, Miller is probably the best at present. The other thing is we simply have to defend cross balls - Watford scored and had a great first half chance from free kicks taken in very innocuous positions.”