Pool 0 – 2 Forest

Once again it was evident to all that Pool are in needs of a) a creative element and b) someone to turn the creative elements work into goals.

orrest who are favorite to win the league won tonight’s game at a canter, affording to miss a penalty and still run out easy winners.

Grayson named the same sixteen from the Brentford match despite calls from fans to change things about in the midfield.

We picked out winger Julian Bennett as the danger man tonight and the first chance of the night fell to the giant winger. He headed wide at the far post from a deep Southall cross.

Pools best chance of the evening fell to Scott Vernon who could and should have given Pool the lead on 12 minutes. A long raking ball from Adiran Forbes found Vernon clean through on goal, but Vernon shot wide to the disappointment of the home crowd.

Pool continued to press with a succession of corners but found the aerial battle hard to content with due to the height of Cullip, Bennet, Morgan and Breckin,

Moments before half time whistle Forrest struck, the worst possible time for Pool. Attacking down the right-hand-side, Southall cut the ball back to Lester who turned and fired in a shot into the far corner past Evans.

Pool continued to press after the break with most of the play going down the left with Prendergast getting some joy, but not really delivering anything of note.

Against the run of play Forest won a penalty when Lester was brought down by a double wammy tackle by Lester and Joseph. Lester picked himself up and proceeded to recreate the Baggio, the Waddle, the Beckham, in other words he whacked it high and wide into the wasteland that is the South stand.

The penalty miss sparked Pool and the home support into life, Forbes and Parker both having chances but it was evident to all that there was a lack of presence upfront which needs to be addressed by Grayson

Grayson changed things around, Evatt and Hoolahan replaced Tierney and Jackson which saw a change in formation to 3-4-1-2 with Hoolahan playing in the free role behind Rarker and Vernon.

Shaun Barker, minus the hair, directed a free header wide which would have been a great time to get an equaliser with the wind at Pool’ backs and they nearly did when the ball broke to debutant Ian Evatt who fired a shot that clipped the outside of the post.

Forest managed to double their lead and seal the three points, attacking down the right flank which was free due to the change in formation Lester beat Barker fired a shot in which was beaten down by Evans. But Grant Holt was on hand to tap in the second goal of the night.

Graham replaced Parker for the last 12 but was able to make an impact as the game ended in an away win.

Blackpool R Evans, M Joseph, M Jackson (59 I Evatt) , S Barker, P Tierney (59 W Hoolahan) , A Forbes, K Southern, D Fox, R Prendergast, K Parker (78 D Graham) , S Vernon
Subs: L Jones, D Coid, W Hoolahan, D Graham, I Evatt

Nottm Forest
Smith, W Morgan, I Breckin, D Cullip, N Southall, G Holt, S Clingan, J Perch, J Bennett (77 J Thompson) , G Holt (85 N Harris) , J Lester (90 S Weir-Daley)
Subs: R Pedersen, N Harris, J Thompson, J Curtis, S Weir-Daley