Forest view

[SHORT AND CURLY]

This one was certainly the proverbial game of two halves with Forest dominating round one but having to fight off a spirited Reading fightback in round two.

Forest were excellent in the first half with Cohen and Anderson in particular giving Reading fits and Earnshaw looking lively. Earnie had already been denied a great chance by a tight offside decision when Forest broke away, Cohen unselfishly squaring for Anderson to score the vital early goal. Forest dominated possession without creating too many chances until late in the half, Federici producing a fine save from a viscious close range volley from Earnshaw. Earnie was to get his reward moments later though being put through to finish comfortably from close range. There was still time for Blackstock to be sent clean through but screwed his shot wide when one on one.

The crowd expected more of the same in the second half, not to be however as Reading took control of possession and put Forest under sustained pressure. Wilson and Morgan defended bravely to deny Reading too many clear cut chances but as the pressure mounted, it was Camp who stole the show. Twice he produced outstanding saves from close range far post headers and took control of everything thrown into the box as the back four creaked under the pressure. Reading were then awarded a penalty after Shorey appeared to stumble and hauled down his man as he fell. Can't argue with the penalty decision though the red card did seem harsh. I suppose to the letter of the law he did deny a goalscoring opportunity but I guess intent plays no part in things these days. Not to worry though, Brian Howard stepped up and Camp guessed correctly and the score remained 2-0.

Forest had a couple of chances of their own as Reading pushed forward. A good run from Cohen followed by a horrible shot wide from a good position and substitute Tyson found himself with the freedom of the 18 yard line to pick his spot...... as usual with him though the spot he picked was 2 yards wide of the right hand post.

A ball into the box late on brought Kebe a deserved goal for Reading and a nervous few minutes for Forests fans at the death but the Reds held on for a vital 2-1 victory.

Hard luck for Reading who in all fairness probably deserved to get something out of the game on that second half performance.

Man of the Match - Lee Camp (Forest)

[RFCUK]

This one was certainly the proverbial game of two halves with Forest dominating round one but having to fight off a spirited Reading fightback in round two.

Forest were excellent in the first half with Cohen and Anderson in particular giving Reading fits and Earnshaw looking lively. Earnie had already been denied a great chance by a tight offside decision when Forest broke away, Cohen unselfishly squaring for Anderson to score the vital early goal. Forest dominated possession without creating too many chances until late in the half, Federici producing a fine save from a viscious close range volley from Earnshaw. Earnie was to get his reward moments later though being put through to finish comfortably from close range. There was still time for Blackstock to be sent clean through but screwed his shot wide when one on one.

The crowd expected more of the same in the second half, not to be however as Reading took control of possession and put Forest under sustained pressure. Wilson and Morgan defended bravely to deny Reading too many clear cut chances but as the pressure mounted, it was Camp who stole the show. Twice he produced outstanding saves from close range far post headers and took control of everything thrown into the box as the back four creaked under the pressure. Reading were then awarded a penalty after Shorey appeared to stumble and hauled down his man as he fell. Can't argue with the penalty decision though the red card did seem harsh. I suppose to the letter of the law he did deny a goalscoring opportunity but I guess intent plays no part in things these days. Not to worry though, Brian Howard stepped up and Camp guessed correctly and the score remained 2-0.

Forest had a couple of chances of their own as Reading pushed forward. A good run from Cohen followed by a horrible shot wide from a good position and substitute Tyson found himself with the freedom of the 18 yard line to pick his spot...... as usual with him though the spot he picked was 2 yards wide of the right hand post.

A ball into the box late on brought Kebe a deserved goal for Reading and a nervous few minutes for Forests fans at the death but the Reds held on for a vital 2-1 victory.

Hard luck for Reading who in all fairness probably deserved to get something out of the game on that second half performance.

Man of the Match - Lee Camp (Forest)

It's a game of two halves and the first half was terrible. The first shot came in the second half I believe.