Nottingham Forest 1-1 Rotherham United (EFL Championship) 20.10.20

Nottingham Forest were left frustrated having missed vital opportunities to win their Championship game against Rotherham but must be relieved it wasn’t worse after fighting back for a point last night at an eery City Ground.

With no fans it was a first Forest match at home under the lights this season and you might have been excused whilst streaming through your laptops that it was an insignificant Reserve team match with no points to play for? A distinct lack of atmosphere that clearly demands football needs fans to return as soon as it is legally possible. Just think how the Reds twelfth man could have provided the home advantage on a cold dark autumnal night at the world famous.

With the Clough stand covered in sponsors for seats, no room for even cardboard supporters anymore, it was Ryan Yates who gave Forest an early lead, momentarily at least, he got on the end of a Lolley cross to place home but was called for offside with score set back to nil-nil.

The first half provided little after for either team, Figueiredo heading a corner over on 41 minutes the best of what wasn’t the most attractive rendition of the beautiful game.

The second half nor better, Cyrus Christe slipped and tripped inside his own box to give the away side a pen. Dispatched with aplomb by Barlaser to send Samba the wrong way.

What followed was Forest picking themselves up into action mode, Ioannou crossed with curl and whip for Yates to run onto a head against the bar, the best move by some way before Ameobi outside of the boot crossed low for Grabban who’s shot was saved before Lolley couldn’t scramble home the rebound. Rotherham living dangerously like a cat running out of lives.

The Reds went close again, Lolley cutting in on his left to hit the bottom of the near post, Christie forced a save from Blackman before finally Grabban pulled back for Ameobi who side footed home into the corner, a deserved equaliser with little over ten minutes to play.

Grabban thought he’d won it, Grabban should have won it, he rounded the goalkeeper with the big wide goal at his mercy but shot wide left footed and into the side netting, it wasn’t to be for the 32 year old striker who’s still looking for his first goal this season, it wasn’t to be for Forest who instead would accept the draw.

Manager Chris Hughton said after “I am pleased with the reaction but it is a game we should have won.”

“It wasn’t our day today, but what we have got to make sure we do is  take that into Friday night’s game.”

Next up for Hughton and the Reds is Derby County at the City Ground who are currently a position below Forest in the early standings 21^st in the table and will more significantly be without star man Wayne Rooney, self-isolating due to Covid-19 law.

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Christie, Figueiredo, McKenna, Ioannou, Yates, Colback (Arter 74), Lolley, Freeman (Taylor 67), Ameobi, Grabban.

Rotherham United: Blackman, Harding, Ihiekwe, Wood, Jones (Sadlier 76), Lindsay (MacDonald 67), Crooks, Barlaser, Wiles, Ladapo, Miller (Olosunde 69).

Venue: City Ground

*Main image @NFFC Lewis Grabban slides in but it wasn’t his night.