Wolves Smash Forests Undefeated Record.

100 League Games
By Scott Cooper
November 24 2002

It was to be the game of the Nationwide. Nottingham were 11 games without defeat, Wolves were 7 games, would it be a dull draw or would one team lose the undefeated record?

Wolves went into the game 7 games without loss, Forest went into the game 11 games without loss, this was going to be a cracker, and a cracker it was.

 Wolves who currently have Nathan Blake, Colin Cameron, Mo Camara, George Ndah injured, with captain Paul Ince suspended had to field a weak team to dispose of the team who "were" flying in the Nationwide.

 Wolves started with Murray in goal, Irwin, Edworthy, Clyde, Lescott, Newton, Kennedy, Rae, Andrews, Miller and Sturridge.

 Wolves could easily have found themselves two goals to the good in the first Four minutes. Shaun Newton gave Miller a chance who missed from a Kennedy cross and in a similar move a minute earlier Kennedy`s cross found the head of Newton to glance the ball back across goal only for Dean Sturridge to head over the bar.

 Forest then had the ball in the back of the net, Scimecas corner found the head of David Johnson who knocked the ball into the back of the net, the 4,000 Forest fans went mental, the Wolves fans took a big breath of relief as they noticed the offside flag was raised, the goal disallowed, still 0-0.

 Forest still caused Wolves trouble and Matt Murray pulled off some great saves but it was Marlon Harewood who took the lead for the visitors. Harewood picked the ball up 25yrds from goal and smashed the ball low into the bottom right-hand corner. It almost concluded the last kick of the half as Wolves left the field trailing 0-1.

 The Second half was a half that belonged to Mark Kennedy, Kevin Cooper, Kenny Miller and Dean Sturridge. Nottingham, like many teams this season tried to sit back on their 1-0 lead but it was Wolves who found the space and broke down Nottingham`s defence. Cooper replaced Shaun Newton and it was Cooper who set up the Wolves revival. Cooper played the ball for Miller to run-on to, which he did and drove a great low drive into the bottom right hand corner of the net, Nottingham were stunned, but less than 4 minutes later Wolves took all 3 points and ended the undefeated run of Nottingham. Kevin Cooper again turned provider and whiped in a cross which found the head of Dean Sturridge who was greeted by yet more boo`s from the Forest fans as he smashed a powerfull header into the top-right hand corner of the net.

 Forest were still a threat, but a combination of great defending and some fantastic saves from Matt Murray ensured the 3 points, the pride and the undefeated run would remain in the Midlands, the West Midlands that is.