At last Forest served up the type of display that the fans have been waiting for. Despite falling behind to a 3rd minute goal, the Reds picked themselves up, dusted themselves down and then proceeded to take their visitors apart. From the off Forest went straight on the attack. John Burns, making his League debut, played the ball through to Wright who chipped the advancing keeper but saw his effort float just over the bar. Whilst the Forest supporters were still admiring the vision of Wright, Walsall scored with their first attack of the game. Wrack broke away down the right and his cross into the box was met by Mark Robins whose header left Beasant flat footed as the ball hit the back of the net.
Forest stepped up their game immediately, with Burns looking very comfortable as he took control of the midfield, rarely giving the ball away. A mazy run by Petrachi ended when he was brought down by Barras and from the resulting free kick Chettle shot just past the right hand upright. From this point on it was all Forest with most of the possession out on the right at the feet of Petrachi, who was causing Walsall all kinds of trouble. Forest can consider themselves unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty after 24 minutes when Wright appeared to be pushed in the back when in a good position following more excellent work by Burns, but the referee waved the appeals away. Petrachi was creating a number of chances, and both Burns and Quashie went close before Forest finally got on level terms after 42minutes. Petrachi tore into the Walsall defence, waltzed around 3 tackles and fired the ball across onto the head of Freedman who planted the ball firmly into the back of the net.
Forest started the second half as they had ended the first, taking the game to Walsall, seeking the second goal that would surely open the floodgates. After 71 minutes, Petrachi beat the offside trap after a great pass from Wright and found himself one on one with Walker. After taking the ball easily around the keeper, he was pulled to the floor and for the second time in 2 home games Forest had a penalty and their opponents had a man sent off. Ian Wright provided a moment of humour by picking up the ball and presenting it to Chettle, who made no mistake from the spot, ramming the ball into the bottom right hand corner.
This week the Reds were in the mood to take full advantage of their opponents misfortunes, really making the extra man tell. Another deep cross from the excellent Petrachi found the head of Freedman, who squeezed his effort past the substitute goalie Emberson and Forest were home and dry. A magnificent chip by Wright from just outside the box had the keeper beaten all ends up but was inches too high and hit the top of the bar. However, Wrighty wasn't going to be denied and he put the icing on the cake when he received the ball from Scimeca and from just inside the box, hammered the ball into the net.
The partnership between Wright and Freedman is really coming together, and it will be a tragedy for Forest if, as seems likely, Wright does not stay for the rest of the season.
