Match Report
Brighton v Nottingham Forest - Saturday 24th July 1999
Reporter: Roger Ballance
I was at the game against Brighton on Saturday - although I couldn't get a ticket in with the Forest fans, and I had to sit biting my lip in with Brighton supporters!
This was a fairly good match for a pre-season friendly, plenty of attacking, and it being Brighton's first game back at their home ground, they were really up for it.
Forest had a poor first half, with Gray in particular looking dreadful, and our young full-back (Dawson) looking nervous and out of his depth; Edwards wasn't very good either.
The plus points were that Mattson (I think) looked good, and Scimeca was class - playing just in front of defence, always wanting the ball, and when he got it, looking composed and spreading play nicely. Freedman needed someone with him up-front, although he had a cracking shot well-saved by Mark Ormerod, the Brighton keeper.
Brighton scored from a cross, but Forest equalised through Scimeca, who played a lovely one-two to get into the area, then placed a shot round the keeper into the corner.
In the second half, there were several substitutions, and Forest started to look much the better side, although Brighton were still trying.
Harewood came on to partner Dougie, and Allou (I think) went on the wing which meant we could attack through him or Rogers. Scimeca was again involved in an attacking move and was brought down in the penalty area - but the kick was given against him and Brighton scored almost immediately.
Then Platt brought himself on, and showed his intelligence and class with some well-timed runs and well-weighted passes. He even managed to stab home an equaliser, but the main thing I got out of this friendly was to see that Scimeca is really going to do us some good, and a fit Platt will make a useful option in midfield.
Oh, and Gray must go !