SATURDAY 4th MAY 2013
NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2 LEICESTER CITY 3
A fans view
On the morning of Saturday 4th May 2013 I was up
early and looking forward to our last game of the season at the city ground
Nottingham. A game that could promise so much but realistically just going
there and giving a good account of ourselves is the only thing we could expect
to happen--- surely!
I got on the coach at Ashby and we then made our way to
Coalville to pick up the rest of the crew before setting off to Nottingham. On
the coach spirits were high but one person put our task into perspective by
saying “we need two miracles today, and I don’t believe in miracles”
I am the eternal optimist when it comes to Leicester City and
even during this bad run of form we have experienced I have always remained
full of optimism, but even I was thinking this is a big ask today, because if
we do manage to beat Forest we have to hope that Bolton do not win at home to
Blackpool. A big ask!
Believe it or not the last league game I attended at Forest
was the last time we won a league game there. January 22nd 1972 we
won with goals from Alan Birchenall and Keith Weller giving us a 2-1 win. I
think if the Forest hierarchy knew I was on the coach heading to the city
ground they would have taken steps to sabotage us getting there. I was to be
their nemesis?
At Nottingham, City supporters were congregating outside the
stadium and the atmosphere was starting to build up and I made my way inside
picking up my free Leicester T shirt at the turnstile that was provided by the
football club to create a sea of blue!
Inside the concourse I met friends I have made over the years
supporting City and with Natalie Jackson from the BBC milling with our fans the
atmosphere was building up nicely. I eventually made my way to my seat! to
watch our boys being put through their pre match routine, and no one inside the
stadium could have realised what was to come that afternoon.
The teams entered the field of play to a resounding noise and
in our own end it must have looked impressive with us all wearing our T shirts
and a cascade of balloons greeting the players
The match kicked off and before we had time to settle down we
found ourselves a goal behind. Andy Reid sent a cross into the box that created
pandemonium in our defence and during the mix up Simon Cox stabbed the ball
home. Not the start we wanted and we looked a bit shaky and nervous.
After this set back we settled down to play some inspired
football with Anthony Knockaert and Lloyd Dyer causing problems for the Forest
defence and both players were being a constant threat, it was only inspired
goalkeeping by Darlow and good defending by Collins that kept us out.
Following relentless pressure we won a corner and Dyer passed
the ball to James who hit a decent shot that deflected of Elliot Ward and flew
into the net. 1-1 and game on. The blue army were ecstatic with their
celebrations and our team continued to pile on the pressure at Forest with
Dyer, Keane and Nugent all going close to increase our advantage
The pressure finally told and Nugent received the ball on the
touchline, the ball found its way to Knockaert who skipped past three Forest
players before sending a delightful cross into the box that Andy King headed
home. That was the signal for massive noise and celebration from the Leicester
faithful. The half was drawing to a
close but Forest pressed forward and twice Schlupp had to head efforts off the
line to preserve our lead. H.T Forest 1 City 2
Before King’s goal, reports were coming from Bolton that
Blackpool were leading 2-0, unbelievable. Surely it wasn’t going to
happen? And our supporters were partying
big style—but another twist in the tail, before half time at Bolton. Wanderers
had fought back to 2-2 and dampened our spirits a little.
The second half got under way with us wandering how the score
was only 2-1 to us and Forest started pressing us back, and when Morgan
conceded a free kick I feared the worst as Andy Reid sent over another cross,
and sure enough there was Elliot Ward to head home an equaliser 2-2
The rest of the half was played at a frantic pace with both
sides going head to head and both sides creating chances; it was one hell of a
game!
As the clock ticked down we knew Bolton were still drawing
2-2 but with the clock showing 90 minutes were up and Forest on the attack it
was immaterial, we had contributed to a fantastic game of football and I was
proud of the lads
----- But then Schlupp broke up a Forest attack and sent a
superb ball to Knockaert who raced toward the Forest goal at pace, Knockaert
played the ball across to Wood who then played it back to Knockaert and then
the ball was in the net and Knockaert was pulling his shirt off and running
towards us fans. I have not seen celebrations like that for a very long time.
Brilliant – just- Brilliant.
It took a lot of sinking in but I stood there on the Forest
terrace with tears running down my cheeks. Just seeing our supporters so happy
and the players and staff joining our celebration was a truly magical
moment. It is days like this that us
supporters dream about, truly magical
I reminded Steve on the coach about the two miracles he said
we needed. We got them plus a little help from Forest’s nemesis---yours truly
Two big games looming ahead of us now and the first one on
Thursday at The King Power Stadium v Watford. What will be will be but if our
supporters can do at home what the 2000 did at Nottingham, anything is possible. COME ON YOU FOXES
Thanks to Steve Munton your regular match reporter who asked
me to write this match report, I hope I did you Justice Steve
Alan ‘meashamfox’ Bennett for Leicester till I die
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