It was never going to reach the excitement levels that January’s 3-2 cup-clash provided us with, but this 1-1 draw did provide us with an entertaining game.
After the 6-0 thrashing of the Dons on Saturday this game was seen as providing a true test of Forest’s credentials and they lived up to it magnificently.
The Reds took the lead after only five minutes thanks to a superb solo effort from Andy Reid who scored a serious contender for goal of the season.
Reid picked up the ball halfway inside his own area and ran wide with it, beating Rob Lee on the way. The West Ham defence then started to force him infield, where it suddenly opened up as Hayden Mullins lost his footing. Still 30 yards out, Reid launched a ferocious drive, which flew into the top corner, giving David James no chance to save it.
At the other end the Forest defence were standing firm and continually frustrating the Hammers. Michael Carrick went close with a header, but it whistled past the post and further chances fell to Hutchinson, Mullins and Lee, but the Forest defence stood firm.
West Ham upped the pressure on the forest defence early in the second half. Forest again stood firm against everything thrown at them, but then in the 55th minute they got the equalizer they had been looking for as Jermaine Defoe headed home an Etherington cross.
Forest had chances to win this game, with Reid hitting the crossbar with a thunderous free kick and then blazing over an open goal from 12 yards out as Marlon Harewood turned the ball back to him.
The Hammers also had chances to wrap up the game as well, with Jermaine Defoe coming closest as he crashed his shot into the post.
At the end of the day a draw was probably the fairest result for two teams that play entertaining football and will certainly be in contention at the end of the season.
|
