Keeper's mission

Jan 2 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

KEEPER Matt Glennon reflected on Town’s failure to cut down Forest and said: “We need to kick ourselves up the backside.”

The former Carlisle stopper was beaten twice after Phil Jevons gave Town the lead with a penalty in the 37th minute, when home right-back Kelvin Wilson was sent off for pulling back Malvin Kamara.

Chris Cohen (68 minutes) and Lewis McGugan (stoppage time) did the damage for the 10-man hosts, and Glennon reflected: “It’s very frustrating.

“The first goal was a deflection and for the second, we let their man turn in the box, which shouldn’t have happened, and he’s smashed it in from close range.

“Forest are a good side with some quality players, but we should have had this game in the bag long before they scored.

“We came with the intention of playing like we did down at Swansea (where Town won 1-0 back in November).

“The idea was to snuff them out in midfield, soak up what they could throw at us and hit them on the break, and in the first half, it worked well.

“It was a great break by Malvin to win the penalty, because he did well to latch onto Andy Holdsworth’s pass and he got himself into a great position in their box.

“Phil Jevons took the penalty really coolly and from there on in we should have been controlling it.”

Glennon added: “We had chances to add to our lead before they scored, and had we done so, I think we’d have been home and dry.

“They would have to have started chasing the game, and then even more gaps would have appeared.

“I think we should have passed it better when they were down to 10 men, pushed and pulled them around the pitch a bit more.

“But instead of punishing them, we’ve let them punish us, and coming on top of that 2-1 home defeat by Northampton, it’s doubly disappointing.

“We should have had six points from six, but we haven’t got any, and we have to get ourselves back on track.

“We have to focus hard on the second half of the season, because I’m sick of being stuck in mid-table (Town are 14th).

“I want us to be up there challenging for the play-offs, and I know we have the players who can do it. We just have to find some consistency.”

Second-placed Forest are now three points behind Swansea.

A controversial last-minute Simon Cox penalty salvaged a draw for 10-man Swindon, who had Barry Corr red carded after 20 minutes after tangling with Garry Monk.

After a long rearguard action, Thomas Butler put Swansea in front in the 87th minute.

But Kris O’Leary fouled Cox to concede the penalty.

Oldham ended Leeds’ unbeaten home league record, with three goals in 12 first-half minutes leading to a 3-1 win.

Reuben Hazell’s half-volley gave Oldham a 28th-minute lead, then Neal Trotman headed in before Andy Hughes scored an own goal. Leon Constantine replied for Leeds.

How They Rated:

Matt Glennon - Very little he could do about either goal and showed safe hands in the other parts of the game. 6/10.

Frank Sinclair - Looked comfortable at right-back and did his best to inspire his side as the match slipped away. 6/10.

Robbie Williams - Couldn’t prevent Chris Cohen claiming Forest’s equaliser, unlucky not to put Town back in front. 5/10.

Michael Collins - Worked hard as part of a five-man midfield to limit Forest in the first half. Not as effective in the second. 5/10.

Nathan Clarke - Generally a decent display from the centre-back, who also managed a late effort on the Forest goal. 5/10.

David Mirfin - Back after missing the Northampton game through illness. Had to use all his strength against Agogo. 5/10

Malvin Kamara - Did well to get goal side of Kevin Wilson when winning the penalty. Forced off by a knock to an ankle. 6/10.

Jon Worthingtnon - Made some crunching challenges and was Town’s best man before a hamstring tweak took its toll. 6/10.

Andy Holdsworth - Solid show but picked up a fifth caution of the season so will be banned at home to Gillingham. 5/10.

Andy Booth - Chipped away at the Forest rearguard but was unable to get the ball past keeper Paul Smith 5/10.

Phil Jevons - Playing deeper than usual, supplied some decent passes and put away his penalty with aplomb. 6/10.

Town substitutions

Danny Schofield for Worthington HT; Chris Brandon for Kamara 64mins; Joe Skarz for Jevons 76mins. Not used: Luke Beckett, Alex Smithies.Caution: Holdsworth.

Nottingham Forest:

Smith, Morgan, Wilson, Breckin, Lockwood, McGugan, Lennon (Perch, HT), Clingan, Commons (Davies, 74mins), Agogo, Holt (Cohen, 65mins).

Subs not used: Roberts, Thornhill.