23-12-2017, 20:38
Preston North End 1 Huntington Nottingham Forest 1 Brereton
PNE: Maxwell, Clarke, Huntington, Davies, O'Connor, Pearson, Gallagher, Barkhuizen, Browne (Harrop 62), Robinson (Horgan 59), Hugill.
Subs (not used): Boyle, Johnson, Welsh, Mavididi, Rudd.
Forest: Smith, Lichaj, Mancienne, Worrall, Osborn, Bridcutt, Vaughan (Bouchalakis 84), Carayol (Cash 62), Dowell, Brereton (Ward 62), Murphy. Subs (not used): Traore, McKay, Clough, Henderson.
Referee: Scott Duncan (Northumberland)
Attendance: 13,481 (1,210 away)
The last time Forest actually drew a game was 1/4/2017 were they shared the points in a 1 all draw at the place were today they shared the points in a 1 all draw. In truth probably a fair result. North End dominated the early stages didn't score against a Forest side who looked as though defending was merely guesswork although they were helped out by North End who were taking the Arsenal route by trying to score the perfect goal. Numerous times in the early stages did North End get into some great position only to fail majestically at the final stages by hitting woeful passes, not only that they seem to have forgotten that you can actually shoot, only once did Smith have a save to make when tipping a Robinson effort round the post. Saying that though we played some decent stuff at times, however when Forest went forward they looked more dangerous, Dowell should have done better when in a decent position hitting the ball into the ground which made it easier for Maxwell, the keeper and O'Connor combined to deny Murphy when he was well placed and Maxwell got slightly fortunate when a Carayol effort went through him luckily going out for a corner. Huntington though should have done better from a dead ball kick heading over the top when well placed.
Same scenario second half however following a loud shout for a penalty at one end Forest broke away and Brereton just about onside when he received the ball fired past Maxwell to give Forest the lead. Hugill could have levelled but dead centre headed the ball wide of the post.
Salvation though was soon at hand though when the Cumbrian Cannavaro Huntington fired home from the edge of the box following a throw in, keeper Smith should probably have done better. Pressed for the winner, Forest wasted time and neither side could score the winner.
Preston North End manager Alex Neil:
"I thought we played better today than we have in some of our recent wins here, just our quality of ball at times was poor.
"We lacked a bit of incisiveness in the final third. We relied on a centre-back to come and score us a goal.
"For the opportunities we had and the pressure we put on we deserved to win the game."
Nottingham Forest manager Mark Warburton:
"It was almost like we got the goal and we stopped doing what we do well.
"That's the time we needed to do more and we let them get back into the game.
"But it's a tough place to come, they have some quality players and are well managed so we should be delighted with the point."
PNE: Maxwell, Clarke, Huntington, Davies, O'Connor, Pearson, Gallagher, Barkhuizen, Browne (Harrop 62), Robinson (Horgan 59), Hugill.
Subs (not used): Boyle, Johnson, Welsh, Mavididi, Rudd.
Forest: Smith, Lichaj, Mancienne, Worrall, Osborn, Bridcutt, Vaughan (Bouchalakis 84), Carayol (Cash 62), Dowell, Brereton (Ward 62), Murphy. Subs (not used): Traore, McKay, Clough, Henderson.
Referee: Scott Duncan (Northumberland)
Attendance: 13,481 (1,210 away)
The last time Forest actually drew a game was 1/4/2017 were they shared the points in a 1 all draw at the place were today they shared the points in a 1 all draw. In truth probably a fair result. North End dominated the early stages didn't score against a Forest side who looked as though defending was merely guesswork although they were helped out by North End who were taking the Arsenal route by trying to score the perfect goal. Numerous times in the early stages did North End get into some great position only to fail majestically at the final stages by hitting woeful passes, not only that they seem to have forgotten that you can actually shoot, only once did Smith have a save to make when tipping a Robinson effort round the post. Saying that though we played some decent stuff at times, however when Forest went forward they looked more dangerous, Dowell should have done better when in a decent position hitting the ball into the ground which made it easier for Maxwell, the keeper and O'Connor combined to deny Murphy when he was well placed and Maxwell got slightly fortunate when a Carayol effort went through him luckily going out for a corner. Huntington though should have done better from a dead ball kick heading over the top when well placed.
Same scenario second half however following a loud shout for a penalty at one end Forest broke away and Brereton just about onside when he received the ball fired past Maxwell to give Forest the lead. Hugill could have levelled but dead centre headed the ball wide of the post.
Salvation though was soon at hand though when the Cumbrian Cannavaro Huntington fired home from the edge of the box following a throw in, keeper Smith should probably have done better. Pressed for the winner, Forest wasted time and neither side could score the winner.
Preston North End manager Alex Neil:
"I thought we played better today than we have in some of our recent wins here, just our quality of ball at times was poor.
"We lacked a bit of incisiveness in the final third. We relied on a centre-back to come and score us a goal.
"For the opportunities we had and the pressure we put on we deserved to win the game."
Nottingham Forest manager Mark Warburton:
"It was almost like we got the goal and we stopped doing what we do well.
"That's the time we needed to do more and we let them get back into the game.
"But it's a tough place to come, they have some quality players and are well managed so we should be delighted with the point."
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