The party atmosphere had many Forest fans bemused as the sheer volume and effort put in by the travelling Owls rocked the City Ground. When the opening whistle sounded, the chanting began - "oh oh oh he's magic, you know - you'll never get passed Semedo!" and the game was underway. Keen to keep the fans in buoyant spirits, Wednesday started well and a fierce direct shot by the recalled Gary Madine tested the home keeper and the Owls earned the first corner. Only 2mins later and Jay Bothroyd also forces a corner out of Lee Camp, both defended well by Forest. Eager not to be overrun by the travelling team, the Reds then break well and only a fine save by Chris Kirkland prevents Andy Reid from scoring. After another Bothroyd corner is dealt with, Forest counter and Reid crosses for Dexter Blackstock who sees his rising shot go over the bar. In a good spell for Forest, chances go begging for Greg Halford and but for some excellent defending by Anthony Gardner, Forest would lead. The centre-back blocking two goal-bound efforts for corners which are easily cleared. The Semedo chant gets good backing when the midfielder breaks up a good Forest move much to the delight of the away fans. On the 20th minute, a Bothroyd corner finds recalled (and restyled) Nejc Pecnik who sees Jermaine Jenas charge down his shot. The Owls almost score again but Madines header goes narrowly wide with the keeper rooted. Moments later and calls for a penalty are waved away as a handball in the Forest box goes unpunished. Daniel Jones, who has come under recent criticism for his advanced mentality, is notably not passing the half way line and does seen to be positionally aware so far. A spate of free kicks disrupt the flow of the game as neither side make much process. A momentary lapse in concentration see Forest earn 2 corners in quick succession but neither cause any alarm for Wednesday. Billy Sharp works his own chance but sees his effort fly wide of the post. The former Sheffield United striker almost scores at his next attempt when a flighted 40 yard pass by Chris Cohen is taken off Sharps head by Jenas! A let off for Wednesday. When Danny Collins concedes a corner, Bothroyd crosses perfectly and Pecnik meets it on the volley only to see it go harmlessly over. The whistle blows and both teams will feel as though they should have scored.
HT. Nottingham Forest have had the best chances but have failed to convert and the Owls have also been guilty of missing some very good chances. A coffee and chocolate Santa prepare me for the second half.
Just like the first half, the second gets underway with the Semedo magic chant and again the Owls start brightly with Bothroyd firing a 30 yard effort skyward. Substitute Henri Lansbury sees his effort blocked by Miguel Llera and the Owls scramble it away. Unable to match his performance for Slovenia (scoring twice) Pecnik gets replaced by Jermaine Johnson in the 51st minute. Forest step up the pressure and a Kirkland save prevents Lansbury opening the scoring and the Reds then see a corner cleared yet again. The enigmatic Johnson fires a crisp shot that is well matched by Camp in goal. The travelling team then apply the pressure and force a corner which when cleared is fired back in by JJ - whizzing past the Forest post after a couple of neat step-overs to create the chance. Moments later and Bothroyd has his head in his hands as his effort beats Camp but the covering defender clears off the line. The crowd are still partying in the stands and Wednesdayites are in full voice, the sound could make you believe this match was at Hillsborough. The creative Lansbury then misses a glorious chance when he jinks into the box but toe-pokes his shot over the bar in a good chance to open the scoring. Daniel Jones then confronts Semedo for not putting his foot in and the two have to be separated and dragged apart. When Michail Antonio is penalised for a foul, Blackstock is inches away from scoring but the shot goes wide to the relief of the army of Semedos in the away end. The 74th minute sees the ball hit the back of the Wednesday net and Llera drop to his knees. Rising to cut out a Cohen cross, the Spaniard awkwardly heads the ball into his own net and Forest can celebrate a gifted goal. With only 1 defeat in 6 games, Forest were going to be a tough ask for the Owls. As the 80th minute looms the Reds are on top and Wednesday seem to be on the ropes - with 3 corners forced and crossed by Cohen but cleared by the Wednesday back line. The 81st minute sees Jones replaced by Danny Mayor, a move which sees JJ strangely drop to full back. As the final whistle approaches, Forest are more than happy to hold on to a 1-0 lead and SWFC look a beaten team. The whistle blows for the Owls third loss in a row and Forest claim all 3 points in what was a somewhat uninspiring match.
FT. SWFC created enough chances but nobody could finish them, with 13 shots (8 on target) there really should have been an away goal. I was glad to see the team revert to a 4-4-2 formation, we looked much better. Not to worry, it's only Leicester next - they only won 6-0 this match day!
Attendance: 24,584 (4,405 Semedos!)
Owls Man of Match: Gardner (solid).
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