Made the relatively short and uncomplicated trip to Huddersfield hoping to see an improved performance from the Reds and to get a close up of The McAlpine Stadium.
The game started as we expected with Town excerpting the early pressure, Donnis in particular looking very lively, with Wijnhard and the unpopular Martin Smith ( boo, hiss ) linking up well. For most of the opening 20 minutes Huddersfield were asking all the questions without quite making the openings, but it was definitely against the run of play when Forest went ahead.
On 21 minutes Forest broke out of defence and a long ball over the top by Johnson found Harewood and Rogers beating the offside trap, and they raced clear with Rogers in possession. Marlon cleverly peeled off to the right and then Tank let fly, forcing the keeper into a very good stop. However his block only fell to Marlon who calmly rolled the ball into the empty net to put Forest ahead.
Even though ahead, Forest still allowed Town the lion's share of possession and it came as no real surprise when The Terriers drew level, although for the umpteenth time this season it was a defensive error that produced the goal. Donnis played the ball into the box and Calderwood, despite having plenty of time, fluffed his clearance to Beech who finished with ease from 12 yards.
For a few minutes Forest were all over the place, but they got their act together and finished the half the stronger of the two sides. Indeed, they were unfortunate not to go in ahead. Marlon, showing all of his usual aggression, charged down an attempted clearance from the keeper but saw it rebound just wide.
For the majority of the second half it was The Marlon Harewood Show as he produced his best 45 minutes in a Red's shirt and took on Huddersfield on his own. Again and again, on either side, he roasted the Town defenders who just couldn't cope with his pace and strength. He continually got to the bye-line and pulled the ball back across the goalmouth, only to be continually frustrated at the lack of support from his colleagues. It was bemusing for us supporters too, because we all knew what Marlon was going to do every time he got the ball, so why didn't his team mates?
It was looking good for Forest and it should have got better when Freedman had a clear sight of goal but he saw his effort hit the base of the post, and Rogers had a very good effort well saved after Marlon had set him up with his own version of the Cruyff turn.
After bossing the game for so long without adding a second goal, would Forest pay the price? Sure enough, midway through the half, Calderwood appeared to be impeded on the edge of his own box and the entire defence just stopped. Unfortunately for Forest, Holland had the gaul to play to the whistle and he knocked the ball past Beasant ( who seemed to go down in instalments ) and into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Even after the goal though, Forest still looked as if they would get something from this game, but despite almost constant pressure the equaliser just would not come. However this was a much better display against a team looking at a play-off place and if we can show this kind of commitment over the next 8 games, then despite Platt's incompetence we should live to fight another day. But how often have Forest strung together two good performances this season?
