Sunday 27 November 2011

Nottingham Forest Reserves 2 v 2 Sheffield United Reserves

Nottingham Forest fought back from 2-0 down and grabbed a last minute equaliser to claim a point against Sheffield United Reserves at Ilkeston. 


The Blades had the better of the early exchanges with Erik Tonne and David McAllister both having shots saved by Karl Darlow


The pressure told after nine minutes when Erik Tonne's cross was not dealt with by Danny Meadows, who allowed Danny Philliskirk to nick the ball from him and calmly slot home from six yards. 


Forest did little to fight back and the away side should have doubled their lead four minutes later, as a through ball from Seamus Connelly found Chris Porter in the area, but he shot well over from 12 yards. 


The home side's first chance of the game came on 15 minutes, when David McGoldrick found himself in space 18 yards out, but he couldn't direct his shot on target.


Forest came within inches of an equaliser on 22 minutes, as Andy Reid struck the post from a free kick on the edge of the box after Paul Anderson was fouled. 


However it was the Blades who increased their advantage on the half hour, after Porter brought down a cross from the left unchallenged, and having wriggled away from two challenges the ex-Derby man fired in from ten yards. 


Forest looked to reduce the deficit and enjoyed more possession as half time loomed, and again struck the post on 41 minutes. David McGoldrick did well to shake off Johnny Ertl on the left, coasted into the area and his curling shot came off the inside of the left hand upright.


The second half saw the game open up and chances came and went at both ends in the early stages. 


United should have out of sight within the first ten minutes of the second period, as Philliskirk was played clean through but his shot was well saved by Darlow, and moments later Erik Tonne had a shot blocked from 6 yards after neat interchanges around the edge of the box.


The host's once again hit the woodwork on 61 minutes, though slightly fortuitously as Reid's cross from the left deflected off the top of the bar, and McGoldrick's shot was blocked as the ball was played back in. 


Forest looked increasingly more dangerous and finally grabbed a goal on 74 minutes, as David McGoldrick fired low past George Long into the bottom right corner from 15 yards after Danny Meadows squared the ball back. 


However in the closing stages it looked like the Blades would increase their lead, as Chris Porter was once again played clean through but his effort was well saved by Darlow, and a minute later Philliskirk's goalbound effort was deflected wide.


Forest had a great chance to draw level in the 89th minute as Patrick Bamford sprang the offside trap, but his effort was hit straight at Long. 


There was one last twist in the tail however. When Bamford was fouled 25 yards out, McGoldrick stepped up and curled a delightful effort into the top right corner three minutes into stoppage time. 

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