Boro got off to a flying start when Leroy Lita came over all predator after Arca’s right foot shot was not fully cleared. But things changed after the break and with the wind at their backs Forest drove at us and clinched a draw thanks to Rob Earnshaw’s wicked curling free kick.
Boro had the much maligned Brad Jones to thank for a string of superb saves, one full length effort in the second half was breath taking. It summed up a half time change around when the away team suddenly broke free of their midfield spoiling game and threatened to over run us.
It had all looked so rosy at the start. Boro combined sweetly with new loan signing Dave Kitson putting himself about and provided a focal point. Adam Johnson and Julio Arca both poured forward through the Tricky Trees and Lita profited from having his former strike partner back beside him.
The breakthrough goal came after an Adam Johnson run from St Ledger’s throughball. Johnson’s centre was slightly behind Arca, who juggled it before clubbing it goalwards and did well to keep it down. The keeper couldn’t hold it and Lita fired it home.
The game could have turned round just before halftime but Brad Jones rushed off his line to make a great block.
The second half was a completely different picture as Forest broke out of their midfield minefield and with a wicked wind in their favour stormed towards our goal. This is when Brad Jones flung himself down to his left to make a blinding save.
The conditions had clearly deteriorated making it a real nightmare for our defenders as the wind and rain whipped in our faces. Great to have Iron Man Pogatetz there. His mask was removed as he needed stitches in an eye wound but still played on with a big Pudsey style bandage.
It was a handball by Wheater that resulted in a free kick just outside our area. Substitute Rob Earnshaw bent the ball over the wall and into the corner for a goal. It was much to the delight of the 3000+ army of away fans. Who won’t be going to MIMA this week.
Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond had appeared at half time dressed in Newcastle shirts before quickly changing to Boro shirts, a nice quip indeed. They were promoting their show at MIMA , with 3000 free tickets available for Boro fans. Not Forest fans Clarkson added.
Anyway, Forest could well have taken all the points but we broke out of their barrage and started to take the game back to them. Subs Digard, Bent and Franks all helping turn the tide again. But we never really threatened to win a game that finished in a draw. Forest’s fourth in succession.
It is a result and performance that points to play offs rather than promotion. If we are lucky. The disruption of managerial change midterm has certainly taken its toll. Just a point from Strachan from his first three games. At least he is off the mark but there is a lot of work to do even to stand still mid-table. Trying weather and trying times.
Final Score: Middlesbrough 1-1 Nottm Forest – scorers Lita for us and Earnshaw equalising for them. |
