nPower Championship: Nottingham Forest

The days earlier results saw the home side drop closer to the dreaded relegation zone but with a win over a resurgent Nottingham Forest, Wednesday could climb to mid-table ahead of a tough set of games to follow. Since Billy Davies return to Forest they have remained unbeaten and it seems the Al-Hasawi family have finally found the man to steer their club in the right direction.

The visitors get the game underway but when Wednesday advance after winning the ball in midfield, Adlene Guedioura fouls Michail Antonio after the winger had skipped past 2 challenges and Danny Pugh low free-kick into the box is cleared by Henri Lansbury. Just a minute later and Dexter Blackstock has a header saved by Chris Kirkland following Andy Reid's cross. As Forest begin another attack, Guedioura sprays a terrible ball across field and finds Leroy Lita who advances at goal forcing a corner that is eventually cleared by Chris Cohen. The away side are building early momentum and on the 6th minute, Lansbury fires a long range effort narrowly wide. Only a minute later following a Giles Coke foul, Radoslaw Majewski floats a free-kick into the box and after a scramble - Wednesday manage to clear. The next shot is by former England U21 striker Blackstock which is blocked by Pugh after 11mins. With the Owls struggling to get a foot hold in the game, a few searching long balls are easily cut out by the Forest defence. Connor Wickham heads a shot goal ward in the 13th minute but Karl Darlow makes an easy claim with Lita on-rushing. The Swansea loanee chances his luck from 20 yards moments later but finds Danny Collins blocking his route to goal. After a spell of neat passing and making the home side chase the ball, Forest earn free-kick when Anthony Gardner fouls Blackstock and Reid's free-kick evades everyone and drops inches wide. Nottingham Forest are firmly in control of the opening 20mins and when Antonio launches a trademark throw into the box the red defence stands firm. Another failed long ball by Miguel Llera has Coke and David Prutton in midfield growing frustrated at their lack of involvement. The ball finds its way into the back of the net when Blackstock nods past Chris Kirkland but having been a yard offside, the goal doesn't stand and straight away at the other end, Lita tries an audacious swivel volley that is easily saved by Darlow. Forest score the opening goal in the next attack, Simon Cox is found at the edge of the box and after a good first touch he evades three challenges before squaring to Majewski who slots home into an open net for a well worked, well deserved goal. 10mins more of Forest dominance and Cox has an effort at goal that flies harmlessly wide. The way the away side are playing is very good, passing well and looking dangerous on each break whilst the Owls seem sloppy, unable to strong passes together and opting for the long ball. As the home fans grow restless, Jeremy Hélan beats four challenges before seeing his cross cutout by Collins as Lita almost makes contact. The resulting corner by Antonio is cleared by Elliot Ward. As Reid advances on goal after a pinpoint pass, only a poor first touch prevents the Irishman being in at goal as the ball rolls out for a goal kick. With the half creeping towards its end, Blackstock sees yellow for a foul on Llera when for the second time he leaps with his elbows into the Spaniard. The whistle is greeted by a few boo's from the home fans.

HT. Such a lacklustre display so far but unbeaten in 7 and a win over Crystal Palace last week must breed confidence into the team. The revitalised Forest team are playing some very good football and deserve their lead but with some stern words, the Owls can play better! After a pint of John Smiths and packet of Pork Scratchings - I'm ready for a better second 45mins.



Jermaine Johnson replaces Connor Wickham at the break but its not long until Forest resume their dominance and Kirkland has to be quick to claim Reid's cross. He releases Hélan who out paces two Forest players only to see his cross cleared. Just after Gardner blocks Majewski's effort at goal, Lansbury is booked for a foul on Manchester City loanee Hélan as the sprinting winger launches into a counter attack. In another desperate attempt at quelling the Owls counter attack, Majewski fouls Antonio and finds himself also being shown yellow. The ball in by Pugh causes panic and an unintentional handball goes unpunished in the Forest box before the danger is cleared. On the 52nd minute J.Johnson is fouled by Blackstock and the resulting free-kick climaxes in a Lita looping shot that looks for a moment to be creeping under the bar but the keeper claims. As the hour mark approaches, the much improved home side almost fall further behind when Makewski fires over the bar following a good passing move and a mistake by Llera. A good attack by Pugh is awarded with a corner but the influential Reid is there first and clears the ball. As the Owls look to attack when a Forest move breaks down, J.Johnson is fouled in the centre circle with few Forest players back to defend. Lewis Buxton's free-kick is cheated down in the box by Antonio and after using a dummy run to make space, he fires at goal only to see it fly over the bar. Sensing a Wednesday come-back, Forest look to increase their advantage and Majewski works a short corner kick and breaks into the box - firing wide. Former Arsenal player Lansbury then tries his luck with a long range effort that creeps wide too before Kieran Lee replaces Pugh. After two quick succession fouls by J.Johnson on Majewski, Guy Moussi replaces the Polish midfielder. The French substitute is quick into the action when a minute after coming on he blocks a Prutton shot. Another Forest substitution takes place when former Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp is boo'd on to replace Cox and Dave Jones then replaces Prutton with Gary Madine. After a clumsy Llera foul on Lansbury during a scramble in the Forest box, 19yr old Jamaal Lascelles replaces Danny Collins. Yet another clumsy Llera foul allows Reid to deliver a cross into the box the Owls see away the danger. Into the last 10mins and the time wasting tactics are in effect but its a waves away penalty decision that infuriates the home supporters. A flick on by Madine is blocked by the hand of Lascelles inside the area but strangely play goes on. In the 85th minute a Forest corner breaks down and Wednesday launch a counter attack with J.Johnson sprinting with the ball upfield with few red shirts back when a crashing Guedioura foul stops all momentum and a yellow card is flashed to the Algerian midfielder. Every attack the Owls launch is cancelled out by the Forest defence but when Reid leaves a dangerous bouncing ball in his box, Buxton latches onto it only for a last gasp block to deny the right-back a goal. Wednesday are now in control, pressuring the Forest back-line and when a well worked move results in a Buxton deep cross, Darlow reaches high and claims. In the aftermath Llera is forced into the back of the net and hounded by 3 red shirts, keeping the defender pressed in the goal, Antonio races in to aid his teammate and in doing so earns a yellow card whilst strangely no Forest players are cautioned. With 11 men behind the ball The Reds are clinging onto their lead and Blackstock is the hero when he blocks Antonio's shot in added time. When J.Johnson finds space 20 yards out, his composure evades him as he lashes his shot over the cross bar and less than a minute later, the final whistle is blown.

FT. Sheffield Wednesday paid the price for a poor first half. Greatly improved for the second period but Forest dug deep and the defence and goalkeeper played well. Llera made a few mistakes and the midfield wasn't really in the game and Reid especially made the most of it. Forest are now 4 points off of the playoffs whilst the leagues longest unbeaten run comes to an end for Wednesday who lose for the first time since New Years Day.

Attendance: 23,220
Owls Man of the Match: Kirkland (could have been much worse but for him)