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A chilly
morning in north Essex saw Forest have to set out early for this
10:30 kick-off. Where the pitch was in the shade it remained
frozen and the rest of the pitch was bumpy and the grass
slightly long. This wasn't the best situation for a Forest team
that try to pass the ball around but every ground can't be like
Forest Glade. After having played Barnston just a few weeks ago,
Forest's formation was changed to a 3-4-3 to offer more
alternatives in attack. The attack now had the pace of both
Andre Kotov and Jack Hawthorn and immediately this troubled the
Barnston defence. Both players were released by passes from
midfield and broke free of the Barnston defence. But in the
one-on-one chances the ball seemed to be magnetised to the
keeper's hands. |
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Then, in the
fifth minute, Forest played a wonderful passing move down the
left flank from defence to attack. Andre Kotov broke into the
Barnston goal area and put in a dangerous cross, with his left
boot for once, across the six yard box. This was met superbly by
Grant Cumming who with the ball slightly behind him swung his
left boot and curled the ball into the top corner. |
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Forest
dominated the game and created countless more chances. The
Barnston keeper pulled off a number of good saves but he was
helped by a lack of decisive finishing. Finally his luck run out
half way through the 1st half. David Keen played a great pass
from the right across the pitch to Jack Eldridge on the Forest
left. He pushed the ball forward and shot from the edge of the
area, again with the left boot. It looked again that the keeper
would be able to make a comfortable save as the ball went
straight towards him. However the ball took a wicked bounce from
the frozen pitch and went through his legs for Forest to double
the lead. |
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More chances
followed and the closest fell to Jake Meads, making his debut.
From a good move down the right the cross was cleared but fell
to Jake inside the box. His right foot shot hit the crossbar and
rebounded to safety. |
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Forest looked
comfortable at this stage but towards the end of the half some
complacency set in. The midfield were beginning to be caught too
far away from the defence. This meant that the Forest defence
became outnumbered and in the final minutes of the half the ball
bounced around in the Forest goal area. One shot was blocked but
the next shot, weakly hit, bounced pass the Forest keeper and
into the net. The goal reenergised the Barnston team and further
attacks were scrambled just clear by the Forest team. It was
just as well that the referee finally blew his whistle for the
end of the half. |
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The 2nd half
saw Forest correct the defensive flaws from the 1st half and
immediately killed the game off. The next goal was going to be
decisive and within minutes of the restart Forest scored it.
Chris Eggleton challenged 2 Barnston defenders for a header just
inside the Barnston half. Under stiff pressure Chris bravely won
the ball and headed the ball along the right wing. With the
Barnston defenders on the floor Jack Hawthorn raced onto the
ball. He ran unhindered 30 yards at the Barnston goal and the
keeper decided to remain on his 6 yard line. Jack's shot was not
the sweetest but although the keeper managed to get a hand to
it, there was just enough power to take the ball pass the keeper
and into the net. |
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Barnston did
manage a few attacks in this half, one caused Elliott Thwaites
to pull off a good save, but Forest defended much more
effectively in this half and as time went on the frustration
showed on the Barnston players' faces and attitude. |
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With 20
minutes to go Jack Hawthorn scored his 2nd of the game. Again he
was released by the midfield and shrugged off the attention of
the Barnston defenders. This time realising the keeper was not
going to put any pressure on him he took the ball to 10 yards
out before calmly slotting the ball pass the keeper.
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The rest of
the game saw Forest continue to dominate the play and create
chances. Paul Duggins went close with one shot but the shot was
just not strong enough to beat the keeper. The best shot of the
game came from Greg Fedden who smashed the ball from 40 yards
out but this again found the keeper who plucked the ball out of
the air. |
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A good win for
Forest and one of the best performances so far this season.
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Team
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Elliott
Thwaites |
Alex Chapman |
Greg Fedden
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Tom Pearson |
Grant Cumming |
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David Keen |
Lewis White |
Paul Duggins |
Danny Barker |
Jack Hawthorn |
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Andre Kotov |
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Subs |
Chris Baker |
Chris Eggleton |
Jack Eldridge |
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Matt Huckle |
Jake Meads |
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