Match Report: Derby County 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Where to start. As I sit here writing this match report I’m still struggling to comprehend what happened in the dying moments of what was undoubtable the biggest match of the season. Dodgy decisions, disallowed goals, a red card, an injury and a penalty save. I’ll try my best to explain.

The first half was unmissable as a Forest supporter but desperately disappointing for the neutrals (not that you could find any inside the booming Pride Park). There was hardly a shot on goal until about 25 minutes in when Joe Garner should have opened his Forest account. Adjudged to be offside by a frankly miserable set of officials the goal never stood. It was typical of the Reds fortune that the decision was wrong and Forest denied a deserved opener. In terms of play though neither side demonstrated the cutting edge needed to break the deadlock and the spotlight was stolen by the antics of Dean Leacock and Joe Garner. They seemed drawn to each other and every time the ball was near, every time a foul. Other first half incidents included an Addison/Fletcher tussle and Rob Hulse was replaced by Tito Villa due to a rib injury.

Chambers on Fletcher off, Teale off Barazite on.

The second half began with Nottingham piling on the pressure and that period after the restart that has so often been our downfall proved fruitful. An own goal from substitute Villa doesn’t accurately credit the way that forest did score. The deflection was enough to give us the lead but that was before Lewis McGugan saw red.

He made contact with the ball but the tackle looked horrendous in real time. The referee took one look at the guilty looking McGugan and sent him to the dressing room. This was the point where Forests play started to suffer but luck was about to begin. Not instantly though as Kris Commons free kick was stubbed into the net by Tito Villa.

As Derby began to attack more the madness began. Barazites cross from the right wing created a goalmouth scramble that eventually ended in the ball hitting Lee Camps net. Remarkable though Luke Chambers was relieved to have been judged to handle the ball and play was pulled back to a penalty. Commons was overlooked and Barazite would hit from 10 yards. The low left shot was gathered up by Camp and the Derby born ram fan became Red.

Play continued and after another great save from Camp, Addison saw his header go in. Once again though the goal was disallowed and anybody who knows why must be one of the few that spoke with Referee Attwell. He must be the only holder of the reasoning behind the decision. Quick thinking, Tyson raced up the pitch whilst Derby protested and missed a guilt edged one on one opportunity.

As the whistle was blow nobody could explain what they had witnessed but understood the value of the scoreline. Nottingham Forest on the up and taking another step to being the number one club in the East Midlands.