Nottingham Forest

Having bought tickets for this match before the 0-2 defeat at home to Barnsley the Saturday before, I headed off to the City Ground more in hope than expectation for what surely was a ‘must win’ match if Rovers are to survive a second relegation in five seasons and back to League 1 (Division 3 for those who watched football prior to the formation of the Premier League) for the first time since the late 1970s.

Arriving before 2pm, I took the opportunity of taking my son the short walk to visit Trent Bridge (home of Nottinghamshire CCC) where a kind steward let us in to see the deserted cricket ground for a few minutes with the obligatory pictures taken for sharing on social media.

Heading back towards the City Ground shortly after 2pm, it instantly struck you that the area around the ground was everything Ewood isn’t on a matchday.  Lively and vibrant with pubs, shops the various eateries all bustling with supporters decked out in their Forest gear – this was no doubt helped by the weather and a £10 discount for adult members which resulted in an attendance of over 26,000 including 1600 vocal Rovers supporters.

You will have read much more detailed match reports than I could produce – I’m there to watch it, not make mental notes which would have most likely disappeared the moment a powerful downward header sent the previously mentioned 1600 into rapturous celebration and the remaining 16 minutes (including a very long 4 minutes added time) praying to the football gods we could hang on while those all around me seemed to be singing their hearts out.

The full time whistle once again brought joyous celebration and as my son charged down to the front celebrating with supporters, players and staff alike it reminded me of why we follow our team.  There may be lots wrong with the club as a whole, however in that moment it wasn’t even a consideration.  Yes it was only 3 points, however it was 3 points that keeps us in with a sniff and if we can follow it up against Bristol City on Easter Monday then you just never know.  Wolves, Aston Villa and Brentford won’t be easy however that win will hopefully reignite the fire that seemed to have gone out at full-time at a virtually empty Ewood against Barnsley in the previous match.

Hope springs eternal… COYB!