COVENTRY CITY 1-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST BY KEV MONKS

Date 09/02/10 At The Ricoh Arena Championship

Coventry

Westwood, Wright, McPake, Wood, Cranie, Bell (Baker 80), Gunnarsson (Deegan 62), Clingan, McIndoe, Eastwood, Morrison. SNU Jeffers, Hussey, Grandison, Barnett, Konstantopolous

Forest

Camp, Gunter, Morgan, Wilson, Cohen, Garner (Earnshaw 67), Moussi (McGoldrick 76), McKenna, Anderson (McGuigan 71), Majewski, Blackstock

SNU Smith, Adebola, Perch, Chambers

HT CCFC 1-0 NFFC FT CCFC 1-0 NFFC ATT 18,225
Goal Freddy Eastwood (23)

Referee A.Bates (off 68 on Amy Fearn 71)

Booked Wood, McPake, McIndoe,Baker

Man Of The Match James McPake took the votes with nominations for Eastwood, Wood and Clinton Morrison

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Coventry City manager Chris Coleman fancied his side to get a win against Nottingham Forest and he was proved right as the Sky Blues beat Forest by a goal to nil at the Ricoh Arena.

On a night at the Ricoh Arena, where we and to a man, woman or child, all of the Nottingham Forest support, marked the passing of season ticket holder Graham Beal, who never made it home from Bristol City on Saturday, there was a good atmosphere in the Ricoh Arena, that was visited by former Sky Blue Claus Jorgensen.

Chris Coleman, who had an expensive day in front of the FA Disciplinary Commission, yesterday named an unchanged team which were nearly a goal down in the opening seconds when some woeful defending the ball bobbling around the penalty area before Dexter Blackstock shoved Richard Wood and City got a free kick.

Early on, Forest, playing 4-5-1, passed well and were first to the second ball but that changed as the match progressed with City's hard working midfield and the solid defence which saw another good game for Stephen Wright and more excellent defending from James McPake whilst Richard Wood was allowed to go forward more often.

In the 23^rd minute, City surprised everyone by taking the lead. Clinton Morrison got a cross in from the left that went through a static Forest defence to Richard Wood. He got his leg to the ball to send it goalwards, only for Lee Camp, to block the ball on the line. With the keeper who once let in six at the Ricoh Arena and Highfield Road for Derby against the Sky Blues, unable to hold the ball, Freddy Eastwood blasted the ball high into the net.

It was a goal out of nothing and the City support urged the Sky Blues to get another goal. However, Forest started to come back at City. A brilliantly timed tackle by McPake conceded a corner that Paul Anderson blasted over.

Billy Davies, who had former Sky Blue Dele Adebola on the bench, watched his side win two more corners and then in the 36^th minute, a lovely lay-off from the hard working Eastwood, played in Michael McIndoe, who hit a great shot which Camp had to push away for a corner.

Forest had the early play in the second half and although there was a bad miss from Blackstock and two efforts from the recalled Radoslaw Majewski, went not far wide.

In the 58^th minute, Aron Gunnarsson landed heavily and stayed down. When he was finally treated, the Icelander had to be replaced and Gary Deegan was sent on.

The Irishman had a tidy game when he came on and watched as good work from Morrison set up Eastwood who blasted over.

Keiren Westwood, who earned his money, pushed Gunter's long ranger over the bar and then with nothing on, had an attempt on goal. Unfortunately, despite Lee Camp being well out of his goal, his kick fell short.

Then it was all change. Forest had replaced Joe Garner but seconds after his replacement, Robbie Earnshaw, had come on, down went referee Mr Bates.

The match official from Staffordshire received treatment from the City physio but was not able to continue and on came Amy Fearn, who will be better known to many of you as Amy Rayner before she got married.

Mrs Fearn, whom I have known for a good number of years through refereeing Coventry City Ladies, Coventry City Reserve team matches and other non-league matches, handled the game well and even had the City fans singing "Can You Ref Us Every Week"

Gary Deegan could have wrapped up the match in the 72^nd minute when good work sent him free inside the area with only Camp to beat. He missed the target as did Morrison seven minutes later.

Chris Coleman sent on Carl Baker to liven things up in midfield and the former Stockport County player did just that. Although, he was cautioned, a decision given by the assistant on the Tescos Stand side, who did not have the angle that we had, Baker was becoming a thorn in visitors defence.

A minimum of six minutes of stoppage time, which was spot on by the watches of myself and a very good mate of long standing, was added on. A lovely bit of skill from Baker teed up McIndoe who got in a shot which Camp flapped at, but City were not going to let the three points slip and stayed firm to ensure their second home victory of 2010.