Nottm Forest v Scunthorpe United

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Football League One

Nottm Forest :
Pedersen, Morgan, Breckin, Taylor, Perch (Eaden 42), Holt (Harris 71), Southall (Gardner 68), Friio, Padula, Commons, Johnson
Subs not used:
Gerrard, Thompson

Scunthorpe United :
Musselwhite, Stanton, Butler, Crosby, Williams, Taylor, Hinds, Baraclough (Beagrie 88), Sparrow, Sharp (Parton 86), Torpey (Keogh 80)
Subs not used:
Richie Ryan, Capp

SULSESC REPORT

by Neil Wright at City Ground

THREE games gone and United currently have an even slice of the pie: P3 W1 D1 L1.

A big test this season is whether we can hold our own in this division against the bigger teams. And let's face it, they don't come any bigger than Nottingham Forest away!

A mouth-watering prospect so early in the season, so it was then that we gathered at St Pancras and boarded our train up to the Midlands. There was a good turn-out from the London branch and within a couple of hours we were sitting in the designated boozer for our customary pre-match libation(s).

I will, however, at this point add a note of caution - when undertaking the usual 'working from left to right' across the pumps, take note that you know EXACTLY what you are ordering. The strange pink-looking substance certainly was not a real ale, it was in fact a cider. Once purchased, it has to be drunk, as is the rule, so I apologise to my fellow drinkers who had to endure the very unsavoury liquid.

So to the match. Laws unveiled his new signing, Billy Sharp from Sheffield United, an exciting prospect who certainly comes highly recommended. The Iron defence were certainly put under extreme pressure by Forest for most of the first-half and were lucky to go into the break level.

We were much more evenly matched in the second-half and Sharp certainly went close on more than one occasion.

Then, on 70 minutes, the unbelievable happened... a cross from Cleveland Taylor on the right found Sharp in the box with his back to goal but, showing sublime control, he turned and buried the ball into the bottom of the Forest net.

With Richard Hinds going close 10 minutes later, it was the Iron who held on to record a famous victory.

The post-match drink and rail journey home were much sweeter for having come away from the City Ground with all three points!