Nottingham Forest 2-0 Coventry City (EFL Championship) 06.04.22

Nottingham Forest are up to fifth in the table after a routine home win over Coventry thanks to goals from two young starlets in James Garner and first Brennan Johnson.

A positive start by the away side saw Callum O’Hare test Brice Samba from distance before an early corner by Garner dangerously swung in went whiskers wide of the Bridgford End goal.

Forest took the lead on 25 when Jack Colback found Brennan Johnson at the far post who scrambled home, the youngster with more goal contributions than anyone in the division this season did what he does best by eventually putting the ball in the back of the net, it’s becoming an enjoyable habit for the Welsh International who’s beginning to be hugely adored by his fans.

In search of a second, Forest put more pressure on their opponents with a flurry of corners before O’Hare again went close at the other end, whizzing over the top of the bar. Philip Zinckernagel then tested Simon Moore in the Sky Blues goal with the Reds mostly in charge at the break all be it not in total safe control, thanks to the threat Coventry had in attack through O’Hare in particular.

That threat was diminished in the second half when James Garner made it two on the hour. Neat play by Keinan Davis lead to the Manchester United loanee smashing home into the roof of the net.

A halt due to an emergency in the stands left a pause in action as the stewards cared for spectator who needed medical attention after a fall from his goal celebration, thankfully he was ok, after which Forest re-started where they left off, Keinan Davis unlucky not to get a penalty after being brought down inside the area.

O’Hare again tried his luck with nothing doing as Figueiredo and Samba combined to block the Coventry stars effort before substitute Surridge headed over a late opportunity for Forest, deep in injury time Yates might have crowned off a perfect evening heading Garner’s corner onto the crossbar with the Reds settling in the end for two, next up is Birmingham City on Saturday where three points can not only consolidate the Reds position in the top six, but also now put them in the fight for the automatic places which are still not totally out of reach.

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Worrall, Figueiredo, McKenna, Spence, Yates, Garner, Colback, Zinckernagel (Lolley 58), Johnson (Grabban 78), Davis (Surridge 78).

Coventry City: Moore, Rose, Hyam, Bidwell, Kane (Maatsen 66), Hamer (Howley 85), Sheaf (Tavares 66), Allen, Dabo, O’Hare, Gyokeres.

Venue: City Ground (28,977)

*Main image @NFFC James Garner celebrates his goal.