The great Dylan Thomas once wrote, “Wales is the land of my fathers, and my fathers can have it.” Under Cardiff Skies, it was clear that the inhabitants were somewhat more passionate with the fans in good voice ahead of their side, Cardiff’s tie with Nottingham Forest.

The teams strolled out, once again, as with the Forest v Newcastle match, under the myriad eyes of the television camera’s, this time for BBC 2, in a game commentated on by Jonathan Pearce and Martin Keown, and with the Oh so wondrous half time insight of Steve Claridge.

The first half was a strangely open affair, with both sides very much in the game and playing goot, attacking football. Forest began the game with the now familiar 4-2-3-1 formation, and the attacking players, particularly Majewski and the most impressive, Anderson began to terrorise the paceless Cardiff defence. Only a few minutes in, Garner played McGoldrick through on goal, but from a wide angle, the young striker could not provide an accurate finish. Anderson and Majewski continued to cause problems, the former having a penalty claim denied and the latter finding the space between midfield and attack to great, but eventually fruitless, effect.

After Forest’s early spell of dominance, Cardiff worked themselves more and more into the game, creating chances, with Peter Whittingham, a long time Forest target, causing a great deal of problems. Lee Camp, the visitors’ goalkeeper was forced into, first a fantastic double save from Whittingham and then the quiet, but mercurially talented, Joe Ledley. Camp also made a wondrous finger tip diving save from a Whittingham half volley, to keep his side in the game.

In the dying minutes of the first half, Forest very nearly took the lead as under rain torn skies, Radolaw Majewski curled a free kick narrowly wide of the left hand post.

The second half started with Cardiff on the front foot, Bothroyd breaking the offside trap to go through on goal, only to be thwarted by a wonderful sliding block from Kelvin Wilson.

Forest’s bosses decided to chase the game and brought on Dele Adebola up front to add a physical edge and lead the line, but shortly after, Cardiff took the lead with Chopra finding Bothroyd in space, who expertly curled the finish into the back of the net.

In response to this came two more changes, Forest introducing Garath McCleary and mask Clad Lewis Mcgugan, and McCleary hastily created a chance for McGoldrick to produce an effort, but his tame effort was of no consequence.

As the board went up signalling 4 minutes of added time, the nerves amongst the home crowds grew. After a couple of bobbles and lucky deflections, the ball landed on the edge of the box in the first minute of extra time to Lewis Mcgugan, who wrapped his left foot around the ball and volleyed into the top right hand corner of the goal – a truly world class effort.

The rain showed no signs of stopping, but even such torrents couldn’t dampen the forest moods as so often is the case, the late equaliser felt as good as a win, particularly against a side fighting at the top of the table. A good performance all round, and a deserved point.

Camp – 8 – Fantastic, assured display from the vice captain, an outstanding performance. MAN OF THE MATCH
Gunter – 7 – In the face of a frosty reception, the right back put in another solid performance
Morgan – 7 – Again, solid, and didn’t really put a foot wrong
Wilson -8 – Gets a point more than Morgan simply for the fantastic diving block to save a goal
Cohen – 7 – Good performance at Left Back, increasingly looking comfortable
McKenna – 7 – Midfield General, again ran the show, directing his troops
Moussi – 7 – worked well with Mckenna, and looks back to his best
Garner – 6 – Not particularly involved in the game, but plenty of effort.
Majewski – 8- Looked very creative, and likely to unlock the Cardiff defence
Anderson – 8 – Outstanding performance, high work rate, and the pace and energy to terrorise the opposition
McGoldrick – 6 – Showed good touches, but still little end product.

Adebola – 5 – Definitely had a physical effect, but looked rusty and was largely ineffective
McGugan – 8 – What a goal! A composed midfield performance
McCleary – 6 – Didnt offer a great deal apart from presenting McGoldrick with a chance.