A valiant performance to no avail.

Wednesday went into the game at the City Ground far from the favourites, but they left feeling very much aggrieved after a performance which deserved much more as the curse of the Manager of the Month award struck the Owls. 

Alan Irvine was awarded the accolade for his part in the Wednesday mini revival which has seen them pull out of the relegation zone, but after this game they now again sit perilously close to the drop zone.

A Dexter Blackstock double, one of which was from a controversial penalty decision, either side of Luke Varney's equaliser won the game for the home side who were pinned back for prolonged periods during the match.

Alan Irvine was forced to make one change to the side which beat Plymouth at Hillsborough last time out, with Lewis Buxton missing due to injury so he was replaced with Frank Simek at right back.

The game started as it was to go on for most of the 90 minutes with Wednesday threatening and dominating possession, with Varney the first to have an effort on goal which Lee Camp was equal to. In fact it was more like a chess match in the opening half of the first period with neither side really forcing a difficult save from the respective 'keepers. When the opening goal of the game did come though it was shrouded in controversy.

After some stout defending from the Owls, a contentious penalty was awarded by the referee, Mr Kettle. Dexter Blackstock fired an effort goalwards only to see Darren Purse's back block the shot, but much to the amazement of the Wednesday captain and the rest of his teammates, the referee awarded a penalty for handball in a decision which Irvine said there was no one else who thought it was handball. Blackstock duly converted the spot kick to put the home side ahead.

Forest then applied the pressure as Wednesday were still somewhat dumbfounded by the penalty decision, with Nathan Tyson and Rob Earnshaw both threatening to extend their lead.

Varney then tested Lee Camp who was equal to his low shot, before Lee Grant did equally well to deny Earnshaw just before the break.

Half Time

Forest 1 Wednesday 0

Irvine's half time team talk seemed to do the trick as Wednesday came out of the blocks the quickest, forcing the issue and dominating possession. Varney again denied, this time Morgan just getting in a block as the on loan Derby striker threatened to equalise.

Darren Potter almost restored parity but his free kick rattled the crossbar with Forest 'keeper, Camp, well beaten. It was to be a short lived reprieve for the home side as the equaliser came on 73 minutes.
Irvine threw on Leon Clarke and Etienne Esajas in a bid to get something out of the game and after Esajas' effort rebounded into the path of Luke Varney and the striker finished with aplomb into the net and he quite clearly enjoyed it, showing the home fans what he thought as he wheeled away.

But all this did was galvanise the home side who responded just seven minutes later. Wednesday conceded a free kick around 25 yards out which Chris Cohen swung into the box, Blackstock's header was blocked by Grant who could do nothing about the rebound which fell back into the path of the onrushing striker and he did the rest.
It was a cruel blow for Wednesday who had just been gathering a head of steam and arguably looked the most likely to score.

The final whistle went leaving Forest's manager Billy Davies ulogising about how tough a battle it was and his counterpart Alan Irvine left pleased with the performance if not the right result.

Next up for the Owls is a return to home against Blackpool on Tuesday night as they look to get back to winning ways and secure a second victory against the seasiders this season.

Final Score
Forest 2 Wednesday 1

Nottm Forest: Camp ,Morgan ,Perch ,Wilson ,Gunter ,Tyson (Anderson ,65 ) ,Cohen ,McKenna ,Moussi ,Blackstock (McGoldrick ,83 ) ,Earnshaw (Adebola ,69)
Subs not used: Smith,Chambers,McGugan,Majewski,

Sheff Wed: Grant ,Purse ,Simek ,Spurr ,Beevers ,Potter ,Soares (Clarke ,67 ) ,Gray (Esajas ,67 ) ,O'Connor ,Tudgay ,Varney
Subs not used Hinds,McAllister,Boden,Lekaj,Jameson,

Bookings: Anderson ,Gunter (Nottm Forest) Gray ,Varney (Sheff Wed)

Attendance: 27900

Referee: Trevor Kettle (Berkshire)

 

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