Nottingham Forest 3 - 0 Sheep.

The Sheep are shorn!!!

Rubbish rams rammed by rampant Reds

A thoroughly phenomenal Reds display complimented the loudest crowd at the City Ground for many years, as Forest superbly dismissed their arch enemies! Promotion talk was left dubious following arguably Forests two worst performances of the season over the last games, but such questionable showings were nothing more than a far distant nightmare here tonight - as the Reds ran riot! City Ground hero Marlon Harewood opened the scoring, before Darren Huckerby doubled to set the City Ground rocking. And as Forest dominated, Marlon Harewood found time to convert a penalty, following a foul on David Johnson.

Paul Hart had no new injury or suspension hindrances to deal with ahead of what was, from the supporters perspective, the biggest game of the season.

But following the dire display that led defeat at struggling Brighton, Paul Hart did ring the changes.

The Reds switched back to the 4-4-2 diamond shape that had been so ardently deployed at the beginning of the season. Only this time it was loan-signing Darren Huckerby leading the charge of the midfield and not Jack Lester or Eoin Jess.

Darren Ward of course remained in goal, shielded by a back-4 of Mathieu Louis-Jean (Right-Wing back), Michael Dawson, Jon Olav Hjelde, and Jim Brennan (left-Wing back). Gareth Williams took to the right of midfield, with Andy Reid positioned on the left. Riccy Scimeca moved to defensive midfield, and Darren Huckerby set-up behind the front two of Marlon Harewood (right) and David Johnson (left/centre) A position at which he was to greatly excel at!

The Reds emerged to a colossal uproar from the City Ground home crowd, and the inhabitants of the lower Brian Clough stand raised aloft squares of strategically placed Red and White card. To neatly display the words: You Reds across the lower section of our biggest stand.

The volume only increased as both sides prepared for the start of what the Forest crowd only (at this early stage) dreamed of being the silence of the lambs.

David Johnson had the more nervous supporters in the City Ground a lot calmer after just a minute; he broke free following urgent build-up play and finished neatly passed Lee Grant. The linesman (or refereeing assistant if we are being politically correct) however had already raised his flag to signal offside.

The game continued at a rapid pace, with Forest holding on to possession and building forwards in search of an early goal. Any D*rby move was booed violently by the hardcore home support. But any such move was rare, as the evidently superbly motivated Reds side closed their opposition down well.

On 7 minutes Darren Huckerby surged deep from midfield, shredding his marker with an outburst of astounding pace. Something he did throughout the match, Huckerby then charged to the right before sending a dipping cross into the Sheeps box. Only for the danger to be hastily cleared, following Forests failure to finish.

 Minutes later the Reds attacked again, Andy Reid worked well and found Gareth Williams. The stand-in-skipper ignored calls to shoot (for the goal of course) himself and played to David Johnson who twisted but fired just over the bar from inside the box.

The home crowd were just nearing full voice as the 10 minute mark passed, and they were soon to be rewarded. Forest broke loose and Gareth Williams played in Dubliner Andy Reid into space on the wide left. Reid, now free of all fitness qualms, used his pace to latch onto the ball and send a perfect ball across goal. Where Magical Marlon Harewood clambered above his marker to force his towering header into the net at the back post.

The City Ground was plunged into a euphoric bliss, and for one miraculous moment, there were no troubles in the world. There was no hate (except for D*rby) and there was no trouble or pain. The Reds were beating their detested neighbours and that was all that mattered. And I have to say, that moment was one of the best I shall ever enjoy throughout the entire course of my life. How fortunate I was that there were still 2 more of these moments of elation to experience before the nights close!

Just as the crowd were beginning to weave their way back down to earth, the Reds provoked another explosion of immense sound, with a second goal.

Andy Reid, looking back at home on his favourite left side, worked well to find access to space on the wing. The Dubliner then played the ball neatly to David Johnson, whose forceful shot shook the bar. Darren Huckerby reacted to head home the rebound again, sending the Reds support into ecstasy.

By this point the sheep-sh*gging away fans must have been contemplating an early departure. Possibly for some quality time in a local farm? But they did stay, and they must have been nothing short of horrified at what they were witnessing! It was nothing short of a massacre. The Reds were dominating all possession, and comfortably closing down the lame attacking efforts of Ravanelli and Mooney (making his debut). D*rby did show feint signs of potential recovery, with various shots on goal. But the only strikes of any note went sailing high or wide. Craig Burley, Tommy Mooney and Robert Lee all blazing embarrassing shots off target. At the same time, the dominant Reds still controlled the game and looked in constant capability of finding a third.

On 25 minutes, Andy Reid played a defence-splitting pass for David Johnson who duly obliged to the offering as he turned and hooked a scathing ball across the face of goal. His effort dipping agonisingly past the far post.

On 32 minutes, an in-swinging Scimeca corner saw Michael Dawson climb athletically into the air and head goalwards. Dawsons powerful header beat the keeper, but Marlon Harewood was unable to move out of the way and so it was ironically Marlon that prevented an immediate third!

Minutes later, D*rby nearly offered their silent support something to (almost) get excited about. Tommy Mooney found himself in a yard of space following a surprisingly satisfactory passing move from the sheep that had left the defence open. Tommy Mooney got the final touch, but the untroubled Darren Ward collected the ball with ease.

As the end of the half drew near, an uprise in tempo was evident from Forest once more. And the Reds soon attacked again, good build-up play culminated in Gareth Williams playing the ball through the defence for Darren Huckerby. The fleet-footed forward had ghosted in from midfield and he drilled his shot but inches wide of the post.

Forest resiliently kept control of the ball as the referee built towards sounding the end of the half. But there was one last chance for D*rby! Following another string of Reds attacks, the visitors countered and following a half clearance by the Forest defence Ravanelli drove a shot goalwards from 20 yards. The Italian strikers shot whistled past the top corner of Wards right hand post. But his effort was considerably closer than the Trent Ends jeers would suggest!

With that, the half ended. The scattered boos of the away support were drowned out massively by the uproar from the honouring Reds crowd. Overall, a sensational first half, in which the diamond formation worked brilliantly. The lazy hoofs forward in search of the fast strikers were non existent. As Huckerbys pace and added involvement began to compensate for some of the lost work-rate and some of the lost passing options that were sold along with David Prutton. D*rby never looked involved as Forest defended with robustness and attacked with vigour.

The City Ground was blessed with a rare show of half-time entertainment in light of the big day. One D*rby fan faced a Forest supporter (who had made the trip from Norway to see the game) in a penalty shoot-out. And whilst the crowd highlighted the D*rby contenders sizeable complexion. The Forest supporter waltzed to a 3-1 victory. Winning his height in beer! It was German academy star Pascal Formann in goal.

Forest emerged looking fighting and ready for the second half, clearly sent out with the instruction of kill the game beyond all doubt. And within minutes, that is exactly what they did.

David Johnson chased a dipping ball into the box, before Steve Elliot bundled him over, the ball connecting with his hand in the process. Having considered the situation for a moment, the referee awarded a penalty. Which, to the further thrill of the superb home support, Marlon Harewood comfortably converted. Lee Grant managed a touch on the ball, but Marlons strike was far too powerful to be halted.

From then on in, the Reds cruised. They were by no means unprofessional and did not sit back as such. But they did click down a gear, as the now helpless D*rby ran and ran to no avail.

On 51 minutes Darren Huckerby came close following yet another superb ball from Andy Reid. Huckerby ran on to the ball, in space but being closed down. The on-loan striker drilled his shot towards goal before any challenge was made. Grant stood firm though and parried the forceful effort over the bar.

D*rby had an excellent chance to snatch what would have been no more than a scant consolation on 54 minutes. Adam Bolder crossed from the right, only for Ravanelli to squander a great chance to convert, his lacklustre effort found only the side netting from 5 yards out.

Forest continued to simply outclass their opposition, and by this time. There was a celebratory atmosphere about the City Ground. Such comedic chants as Bye, Bye John Gregory sounded out.

Michael Dawson was booked on 65 minutes, and the more statistically informed of the Forest crowd immediately pointed out that he had now clocked 5 bookings and would be banned. However, newly introduced FA regulations state that the 5 bookings system only applies for August to February. And you must now receive 10 bookings t warrant the customary 1 match ban. Dawson will now not sit out the away clash with Ipswich.

Darren Huckerby again used his immense pace to latch onto a constructive long ball from Michael Dawson on 72 minutes. And Huckerby crossed for David Johnson who, despite battling, couldnt beat Grant to the ball.

Forest were at this point still passing the ball crisply, but they knew that the game was long dead. The spirit of the local-clash occasion and the atmosphere kept the Reds battling though and on 79 minutes it could have been 4 once more.

Andy Reid was again the main man involved, he linked up well with the incoming Jim Brennan before crossing to the near post where David Johnson managed to flick the ball on, Lee Grant made a complete hash of the situation by parrying the weak ball inexplicably across his own goal line Exasperatingly, nobody could finish it.

Darren Huckerby chased the ball down the right-wing on 84 minutes where he skinned his marker and weaved his way in, by this time Huckerby was no more than 7 yards out and could easily have scored himself, but showing that he bares no unnecessary greed in such situations, Huckerby tried to play in the running Marlon Harewood for his hat-trick. Only for Warren Barton, who had a very average game on his birthday, to stab the ball away.

Eoin Jess entered the field of play minutes later, Harty obviously saw this as a chance for Jess to witness actually being supported by his own supporters and not booed as in recent weeks. Hopefully Jess did take confidence from the fact that he was applauded on entrance to the game.

A very rare D*rby attack resulted in a corner which was dipped in and headed into the back of the net to the delight of the supporting sheep who were convinced that they had managed to score past a side that they now knew were of far higher quality than themselves. Twas not to be for the Sheep though! The linesman had already flagged for offside!

Another Reds chance saw excellent work from Mathieu Louis-Jean (who without being involved in the goals all that much, had a brilliant game as ever in defence and attack). Louis-Jean used his own respectable pace to reach the ball on the right wing, before trickily bringing the ball in. Unfortunately nothing came of the chance.

In they dying moments of the game, Marlon Harewood could maybe have sealed his hat-trick, following an impressive run in from the right, Harewood shot weakly though and straight at the keeper. Rather than play the ball to a frustrated Huckerby who had been in oceans of space. Nobody will blame Harewood for trying though, in his shoes (or is that boots?) I doubt that many would have chosen to pass with the prospect of a hat-trick being presented.

With that the full-time whistle sounded to delighted cheers from the naturally thrilled Forest supporters.

Overall, Forest deserve nothing but credit. In recent weeks, the lack of a midfield engine has led to hasty hoofing forward in search of the added pace in attack creating something. But today, with Paul Harts favourite diamond formation re-implemented, the Reds looked back at their best. The extra man in midfield meant that there was always more options for passes. And this meant the return of Forests now famous crisp, neat and progressive passing. Huckerbys tremendous pace was lethal when running in from midfield, he adapted well to the change. And with him taking a more midfield minded role, he will be very difficult to mark in coming weeks. If defences do choose to mark him, the on-fire Marlon Harewood and always dangerous David Johnson will surely cash-in on the resulting vulnerability left at the back. It does look like that with the diamond formation, Forest are on to a winner.

This win means a lot to so very many people, not only does it put Forest right back on track in the play-off race. It also offers Forest fans bragging rights over the sheep for many, many years to come. Especially as Forest are headed up and D*rby headed down J.

The atmosphere: Phenomenal. The noise generated by the Forest crowd surpassed all of my wildest and moat optimistic expectations. Went a little bit quieter when Forest were cruising. But brilliant overall, even the Brian Clough stand was left echoing to the sounds of the usually reasonably quiet inhabitants.

Man Of The Match: Andy Reid.

Having created two and playing a vital part in almost every attack, Reidy has to take the honour. What an improvement the Dubliner has made! Since returning Reidy has gradually worked his way towards the now prominent status he possesses at the City Ground. Darren Huckerby, Mathieu Louis-Jean, Gareth Williams and Marlon Harewood were all in the running. But then again so were; Jim Brennan, Michael Dawson, Jon Hjelde, Riccy Scimeca and David Johnson. Thats right kids, the entire team!

What a display, what a win, what a night.

The best of my life so far.