Date:18 Feb 2012
Kick-off:15:00
Venue:City Ground
Attendance:21,588

McCleary (73) Findley (85)

Goal!

Live Commentary

93mins Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jonathan Greening by Martin Cranie. Andy Reid takes the free kick.

91mins The ball is crossed by Gary McSheffrey.

90mins David Bell takes a shot. Lee Camp makes a save.

90mins Inswinging corner taken by Gary McSheffrey from the right by-line.

90mins The ball is crossed by Gary McSheffrey, Danny Higginbotham manages to make a clearance.

88mins Freddy Eastwood replaces Gary Deegan.

87mins Robbie Findley fouled by Jordan Clarke, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Andy Reid from right wing, save by Joe Murphy.

87mins The ball is swung over by Richard Keogh.

85mins A goal is scored by Robbie Findley from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Nottm Forest 2-0 Coventry.Andy Reid provided the assist for the goal.

83mins Jonathan Greening challenges Oliver Norwood unfairly and gives away a free kick. Gary McSheffrey restarts play with the free kick.

83mins Cyrus Christie crosses the ball, Chris Gunter makes a clearance.

83mins The ball is sent over by Jordan Clarke, Luke Chambers manages to make a clearance.

81mins A cross is delivered by David Bell, Danny Higginbotham manages to make a clearance.

78mins Clive Platt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Chris Gunter. Lee Camp takes the free kick.

77mins Garath McCleary leaves the field to be replaced by Jonathan Greening.

76mins Free kick awarded for a foul by Robbie Findley on Richard Keogh. Free kick taken by Joe Murphy. Carl Baker leaves the field to be replaced by David Bell.

75mins Robbie Findley challenges Jordan Clarke unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jordan Clarke takes the free kick.

73mins Garath McCleary grabs a goal from just inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Nottm Forest 1-0 Coventry.

71mins The ball is crossed by Carl Baker.

68mins Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Andy Reid from the right by-line, clearance made by Cyrus Christie.

68mins Andy Reid takes a shot. Save by Joe Murphy.

66mins Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Alex Nimely by Dexter Blackstock. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Gary McSheffrey.

66mins A cross is delivered by Carl Baker, Danny Higginbotham makes a clearance.

64mins Centre by Alex Nimely, save by Lee Camp.

63mins Robbie Findley challenges Richard Keogh unfairly and gives away a free kick. Martin Cranie restarts play with the free kick.

63mins The ball is sent over by Andy Reid.

60mins The ball is delivered by Carl Baker.

60mins Inswinging corner taken by Gary McSheffrey from the right by-line, clearance by Dexter Blackstock.

60mins Alex Nimely takes a shot. Blocked by Luke Chambers.

58mins Robbie Findley produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.

58mins The ball is crossed by Gary McSheffrey, save made by Lee Camp.

56mins Cyrus Christie concedes a free kick for a foul on Andy Reid. Andy Reid delivers the ball, Dexter Blackstock produces a header from inside the area that goes over the crossbar.

55mins Long range shot by Gary Deegan goes wide right of the net.

54mins Clive Platt concedes a free kick for a foul on Danny Higginbotham. Lee Camp restarts play with the free kick.

53mins Corner from the left by-line taken by Gary McSheffrey, clearance made by Danny Higginbotham.

53mins Andy Reid sends in a cross, Joe Murphy makes a save.

51mins Centre by Alex Nimely, Luke Chambers makes a clearance.

49mins Chris Gunter takes a shot. Joe Murphy makes a save.

48mins Corner from the right by-line taken by Gary McSheffrey, save by Lee Camp.

48mins The ball is swung over by Carl Baker, George Elokobi gets a block in.

48mins The ball is swung over by Cyrus Christie, save by Lee Camp.

47mins Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Andy Reid played to the near post, clearance made by Clive Platt.

46mins Header by Chris Gunter from inside the area strikes the post.

45mins Andy Reid takes the inswinging corner, clearance made by Jordan Clarke.

45mins A cross is delivered by Robbie Findley, Jordan Clarke gets a block in.

45mins Scott Wootton goes off and Dexter Blackstock comes on.

45mins Robbie Findley on for Marcus Tudgay.

45mins Corner taken by Gary McSheffrey from the right by-line to the near post, Scott Wootton manages to make a clearance.

45mins Gary McSheffrey takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Marcus Tudgay.

44mins Gary McSheffrey takes a shot. Blocked by George Elokobi.

43mins Corner from the left by-line taken by Gary McSheffrey, Marcus Tudgay makes a clearance.

43mins The ball is crossed by Gary McSheffrey, Scott Wootton gets a block in.

42mins Foul by George Elokobi on Richard Keogh, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Joe Murphy.

42mins Andy Reid delivers the ball, Martin Cranie makes a clearance.

42mins Centre by Guy Moussi, Cyrus Christie manages to make a clearance.

41mins Clive Platt concedes a free kick for a foul on Danny Higginbotham. Lee Camp takes the direct free kick.

41mins The official flags Garath McCleary offside. Joe Murphy takes the indirect free kick.

40mins Unfair challenge on Scott Wootton by Clive Platt results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Lee Camp.

40mins The ball is sent over by Gary McSheffrey, Luke Chambers manages to make a clearance.

39mins Gary McSheffrey takes a shot. Save made by Lee Camp.

38mins The ball is delivered by Gary McSheffrey, save by Lee Camp.

37mins Garath McCleary takes a shot. Save by Joe Murphy. Corner taken left-footed by Andy Reid to the near post, Martin Cranie makes a clearance.

36mins Gary Deegan concedes a free kick for a foul on Guy Moussi. Guy Moussi takes the free kick.

34mins The ball is swung over by Carl Baker, clearance made by Luke Chambers.

33mins Andy Reid takes the outswinging corner, save by Joe Murphy.

33mins George Elokobi delivers the ball, Cyrus Christie gets a block in.

32mins Alex Nimely takes a shot. Lee Camp makes a save.

31mins Cyrus Christie produces a cross, save by Lee Camp.

30mins Adlene Guedioura handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Richard Keogh takes the direct free kick.

30mins Scott Wootton crosses the ball.

29mins Short corner worked by Andy Reid.

27mins The ball is crossed by Danny Higginbotham, clearance by Cyrus Christie.

27mins Corner from the right by-line taken by Andy Reid, clearance by Richard Keogh.

27mins The ball is crossed by George Elokobi, clearance made by Gary McSheffrey.

26mins Scott Wootton produces a cross, Cyrus Christie makes a clearance.

25mins Marcus Tudgay produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the goal.

22mins Free kick awarded for a foul by Gary McSheffrey on Chris Gunter. Luke Chambers takes the direct free kick.

21mins Carl Baker produces a cross, Header by Alex Nimely from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

21mins Scott Wootton gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gary McSheffrey. Jordan Clarke takes the free kick.

19mins Marcus Tudgay has an effort at goal from outside the area missing to the wide left of the goal.

18mins Alex Nimely concedes a free kick for a foul on Luke Chambers. Luke Chambers takes the indirect free kick.

16mins Unfair challenge on Clive Platt by Scott Wootton results in a free kick. Jordan Clarke takes the direct free kick.

14mins Handball by Gary McSheffrey. Lee Camp restarts play with the free kick.

14mins A cross is delivered by Carl Baker, Luke Chambers manages to make a clearance.

12mins Garath McCleary takes a shot from long range clearing the crossbar.

12mins The ball is sent over by Gary McSheffrey, Lee Camp makes a save.

11mins Corner taken left-footed by Andy Reid from the left by-line, clearance made by Martin Cranie.

10mins Richard Keogh handles the ball and concedes a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Andy Reid, Martin Cranie manages to make a clearance.

10mins Carl Baker delivers the ball.

9mins Jordan Clarke fouled by Adlene Guedioura, the ref awards a free kick. Joe Murphy takes the free kick.

9mins Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Andy Reid, Cyrus Christie manages to make a clearance.

8mins The ball is swung over by Garath McCleary, Cyrus Christie gets a block in.

8mins Alex Nimely challenges Adlene Guedioura unfairly and gives away a free kick. Adlene Guedioura restarts play with the free kick.

7mins Long distance effort from Alex Nimely misses to the left of the goal.

5mins Andy Reid takes the inswinging corner, save by Joe Murphy.

3mins Gary McSheffrey sends in a cross, Lee Camp makes a save.

Match Preview

Forest sweating on Tudgay Nottingham Forest are hoping that leading scorer Marcus Tudgay will return to contention for the visit of relegation rivals Coventry. Tudgay has been ill but Reds boss Steve Cotterill has his fingers crossed that the six-goal striker will train towards the end of the week and be able to play some part on Saturday. "We have not been able to have him around the squad in case he passes anything on, but hopefully he will be back later this week in time to play a part," Cotterill said. "He has been ill for our last two games and he has arguably been our most consistent striker." Fellow forward Ishmael Miller is a concern after a hamstring problem forced him off moments before half-time during the 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough in midweek. Defenders Brendan Moloney (thigh) and Greg Cunningham (hamstring) also remain doubts. David Bell will be assessed ahead of Coventry's short trip north. The midfielder missed Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Leeds with a virus and will be given every chance of returning to the frame at the City Ground, although manager Andy Thorn is unlikely to change the XI who ended a three-match losing streak in midweek. Carl Baker and Jordan Clarke came in to replace skipper Sammy Clingan (groin) and defender Richard Wood (knee) respectively, and neither of the latter duo are expected to be fit to face Forest. Elsewhere, veteran defender Hermann Hreidarsson may miss the rest of the season having been told he needs surgery on his shoulder, while Nathan Cameron (knee), Chris Hussey (ankle) and Conor Thomas (adductor) also remain sidelined. Striker Cody McDonald has finally resumed training after his troublesome knee problem but is not yet ready for first-team action. The Sky Blues go into the clash level on points with second-bottom Forest but ahead of their midlands rivals by the virtue of goal difference, with Portsmouth set to be dragged into the relegation scrap as they prepare to go into administration and suffer 10-point deduction.

Formation:442Manager: Steve Cotterill

Nottm Forest

Formation: 442Manager: Andy Thorn

Coventry

Lee Camp
Scott Wootton
Luke Chambers
Danny Higginbotham
George Elokobi
Chris Gunter
Guy Moussi
Adlene Guedioura
Andy Reid
Garath McCleary
Marcus Tudgay
SUBS
Paul Smith
Jonathan Greening
Dexter Blackstock
Robbie Findley
Joel Lynch

Home

Away

Joe Murphy
Cyrus Christie
Richard Keogh
Martin Cranie
Jordan Clarke
Carl Baker
Gary Deegan
Oliver Norwood
Gary McSheffrey
Alex Nimely
Clive Platt
SUBS
Chris Dunn
Jordan Willis
David Bell
Conor Thomas
Freddy Eastwood

Match Report

Forest finally find home comfort Second-half goals from Garath McCleary and Robbie Findley gave Nottingham Forest a first home victory since November courtesy of a 2-0 success against Coventry that moved the Reds above their midlands rivals and out of the npower Championship relegation zone. Following a forgettable first half, Forest were much improved after half-time and McCleary gave them a deserved lead with a superb solo effort after 74 minutes. Substitute Findley sealed the win with four minutes remaining to pile more misery on Coventry, who have now lost their last nine away matches in the league. For a long time, a goalless stalemate looked inevitable. Bottom side Doncaster are the only team to have scored fewer home goals than Forest this season, while Coventry are the lowest scorers in the division away from home. Chances were at a premium in the first half, which ended with Forest being booed off by their supporters. Alex Nimely shot wide from 25 yards early on. The same player had the ball in the net in the 17th minute but it did not stand as Gary McSheffrey was penalised for handball. At the other end, Marcus Tudgay sent a shot wide before the break. Forest boss Steve Cotterill responded at half-time with a double substitution. Findley and fellow striker Dexter Blackstock were introduced with Tudgay and midfielder Scott Wootton making way. The changes had the desired effect, with the second half more of a spectacle. Findley was involved immediately, winning the corner from which McCleary shot wide. Forest then hit a post in bizarre fashion. Chris Gunter's cross struck the unknowing Blackstock as he challenged the goalkeeper and the ball bobbled towards the net but came back off the upright. A brave piece of goalkeeping from Joe Murphy then denied McCleary as he dived at the feet of the Forest forward. Forest were firmly in the ascendancy but it was Coventry who almost took the lead when Gary Deegan unleashed a rocket of a shot that flew narrowly past the top corner, striking the stanchion behind the goal. Cotterill's team were back on the attack straight away and only a superb save from Murphy prevented them from taking the lead. McCleary's driven cross was flicked goalwards by Reid and the goalkeeper somehow managed to turn it away. However, there was little Murphy could do to stop McCleary's effort shortly afterwards. McCleary carried the ball from inside his own half, cut infield and then squeezed a left-footed shot inside the near post from 18 yards out. That seemed to knock the wind out of Coventry, who were left totally deflated when Findley struck in the 86th minute. The USA international controlled Andy Reid's cross on his chest then slotted his shot under Murphy to give Forest a first win at the City Ground since November 19.

Form Guide

WLLLDL Nottm Forest VS Coventry LWLLLW

Last Meetings

Coventry 1 - 0 Nottm Forest 15/10/2011 Coventry 1 - 2 Nottm Forest 01/02/2011 Nottm Forest 2 - 1 Coventry 09/11/2010 Coventry 1 - 0 Nottm Forest 09/02/2010 Nottm Forest 2 - 0 Coventry 28/12/2009 Nottm Forest 1 - 0 Coventry 18/04/2009

Top Scorers

Nottm Forest M Tudgay 5 I Miller 3 L McGugan 2 J Lynch 2 G McCleary 2 R Findley 2 R Majewski 2 G Boateng 1 M Derbyshire 1 C Gunter 1 Coventry G McSheffrey 3 G Deegan 3 C Platt 2 C Baker 1 S Clingan 1 R Wood 1 A Nimely 1 C McDonald 1 C Thomas 1

Goals

Nottm Forest Total goals 73 Goals per game 24 3 (For) 4 (Against) Period 0-10 mins 1 (For) 4 (Against) Period 11-20 mins 1 (For) 8 (Against) Period 21-30 mins 4 (For) 1 (Against) Period 31-40 mins 2 (For) 9 (Against) Period 41-50 mins 2 (For) 3 (Against) Period 51-60 mins 3 (For) 6 (Against) Period 61-70 mins 4 (For) 10 (Against) Period 71-80 mins 4 (For) 4 (Against) Period 81-90 mins Coventry Total goals 77 Goals per game 28 2 (For) 3 (Against) Period 0-10 mins (For) 3 (Against) Period 11-20 mins 2 (For) 4 (Against) Period 21-30 mins 4 (For) 4 (Against) Period 31-40 mins 3 (For) 3 (Against) Period 41-50 mins 7 (For) 6 (Against) Period 51-60 mins 3 (For) 7 (Against) Period 61-70 mins 4 (For) 5 (Against) Period 71-80 mins 3 (For) 9 (Against) Period 81-90 mins