Ravens View of Forest v Brighton

Last updated : 30 September 2004 By Mark R

In each of those games we have scored 1 goal (Leicester 1-0 Preston 1-0 Gillingham 1-0 Notts Forest 1-0 Watford 1-1 Coventry 1-1).

When we score 2 we lose (QPR 2-3 and Reading 2-3).

When we get 0 we lose (Wigan 0-3, Plymouth 0-2 & Wolves 0-1)

Last night was a great display in many ways. In the first half we played some great football, the midfield all contributing and Knight was having a battle all night up front.

Currie is showing his worth, he plays in some great balls and often holds the ball up to give our team a breather. His perfect corner gave us the lead.

We won the first corner and he went near post and it was headed out. From the same position he puts one long onto Virgo's head and it was 1-0.

We had a couple of chances after that, Cullip missing the best one.

Charlie was a lucky boy last night. He was booked for one sliding hack of Reid and carried on in the same style in the second half.

McGhee made 3 good substitutions. After 62 minutes he took Oatway off before he was sent off and McPhee went up front, Virgo to centre back and Hinshelwood to right back.

Mayo later replaced a tiring Hammond and Jarrett replaced Knight who wasn't getting much change out of the Forest back 4. We defended deeply but soaked up the pressure.

Kuipers was brilliant, I will wait and see the saves on TV as down the far end, but talking to Forest fans afterwards they said they thought they had scored at least twice before Kuipers stopped the ball.

The 785 Albion fans were in great voice (as were Forest this time compared to our last visit).

Best chants of the nights to respond to the usual Homophobic chants was "Your too ugly to be gay" and "one nil to the Nancy boys" .

The stewarding was a bit bizare. Stewards dressed to look like Police controlled the away end. The spent all 90 minutes making people sit, taking people out for lectures (but letting most return to their seats).

At the end every player and those on the bench were over applauding us. Danny was covered in blood and had missed the last 3 or 4 minutes of injury time after a Marlon King overhead kick missed the ball but got Danny!

I believe he had the Hernia op today and will miss the next 6 weeks

Kuipers - 10 brilliant
Oatway - 5 good tackles and commitment but I was waiting for the red card every time they attacked
Harding - 6 better game
Cullip - 8 superb
Hinshelwood - 8 as above
Hammond - 7 tired towards the end but looking a good player
Nicholas - 9 pushed Kuipers all the way for MOTM
Currie - 8 great ball player and set up the goal
Carpenter - 7 looked good in the best midfield we have had for a while
Virgo - 7 chased all and showed he can play up front or at the back Knight - 6 chased and battled but didn't get many chances to shine

subs

McPhee - 6 battled
Jarrett - 7 a couple of unexpected great clearances
Mayo - 7 up and down the pitch and nearly scored

May and Reid not used

Mark R