PL2 Report: Saints held at Forest

Saints had key chances to win the game in both halves, but were frustrated by a strong Jordan Wright performance in the Forest goal.

The hosts' chances were sparse, but they came inches away from the win in stoppage time after a crazy goalmouth scramble. 

Saints made 2 changes to the side that lost out to Norwich on opening day, as Matt Carson and Ramello Mitchell came in for Caleb Watts and Benni Smales-Braithwaite.

31-year-old Republic of Ireland International Harry Arter was the standout name in the Forest line-up.

The game got off to a fast start, highlighted when Dynel Simeu was awarded a booking after just three minutes which raised a few eyebrows.

In the eighth minute came a neat move involving Kegs Chauke, Kazeem Olaigbe and Lewis Payne, the latter letting fly from just inside the box and forcing a good save.

Then came an effort for Chauke, who profited from some superb closing down by Matt Carson. The midfielder finding space on the edge of the box before curling an effort just wide of the far post.

As the first half wore on the hosts managed to slow down the early Saints pace, using their own pressure to push the visitors back.

Soon came their opening chance of the afternoon; Julian Larsson skipping into the box before firing a low cross into the feet of Lewis Salmon, who couldn’t find the target from close range.

But Saints would end the half like they started the first; a ball over the top in the 43rd minute finding the run of Mitchell who forced another strong save from Forest keeper Jordan Wright.

It was an equally bright start to the second 45 from the visitors, Payne bursting down the right wing before delivering a dangerous cross towards the head of Mitchell, who was beaten to the ball by Aaron Donnelly.

A quick break brought Saints another chance in the 54th minute as Dare Olufunwa’s long throw found Olaigbe, who fed the pacey Carson. The full back making Wright work once more.

There was a scare for the visitors on 66 minutes, as a deep cross lashed across the face of goal catching Jack Bycroft by surprise.

With 20 minutes to go Dave Horseman bought on the exciting youngster Kami Doyle, fresh off of his five goals in the Under-18s 7-2 win over Birmingham City on Saturday.

But the next chance of the game would fall to the hosts, substitute Billy Fewster surging through midfield and releasing a fierce effort just wide of the left post.

Doyle’s first involvement saw the forward bring the ball down, before attempting an outside of the foot through ball towards Mitchell, which was well cut out.

Simeu’s range of pass provided a key asset to Horseman’s side as the half wore on, with Payne and Carson free out wide on multiple occasions for the break.

As the game entered the final ten minutes it was all Saints going forward, Forest unable to leave their own half for extended periods.

If the earlier scare wasn’t enough the second was even worse; Forest had thought they’d won it in stoppage time after a scramble in the penalty area, denied only by some brave Saints defending and Bycroft’s strong hands.

Eventually both sides had to settle for a point, with Saints looking to build on this with a visit to Middlesbrough on Sunday.