Friday, March 23, 2012

English Leagues the 70s: Nottingham Forest Southampton League Cup 1978 1979


Final
Saturday March 17, 1979
Wembley Stadium,
London


Nottingham Forest will line up against Grasshoppers in the second leg of their European Cup quarter-final in Zurich on Wednesday with the comforting knowledge that they have regained the elusive touch of true champions. Forest left Wembley after beating Southampton 5-2. with the League Cup securely in Iheir grasp for the second season succession, after a second-half performance of the highest quality had swept away the doubts and inhibitions accumulated during the long, cold, frustrating winter. When searching for the hero of Forest's victory, look no further than their manager, Brian Clough, whose few well-chosen words during the interval transformed a witless, dissident team, seemingly tottering towards defeat, into aggressive, conquering heroes. The star who caught the eye on the field was young Garry Birtles, a £5,000 bargain from neighbouring Long Eaton, who is in his first season of senior football. He scored two goals and had two disallowed for offside, one of them a borderline decision.

Birtles pounced on an error by Ihe hesitant Nicholl in the 50th minute to equalize Peach's 17th minute goal and, in effect, provide the base for Forest's victory. The goal inspired Gemmill and McGovern lo take command in midfield fron the previously dominating Ball. Holmes and Williams, and produce some of the most devastating attacking soccer seen al Wembley for years. Southampton's defence, who had conceded only two goals in their last eight games, was torn apart . They were outrageously fortunate to survive until the 78th minute. but then Birtles shook off a challenge by Nicholl and planted the newly styled red and white ball firmly past the diving Gennoe. Woodcock, who had so ably supported Birlles, added a third in the 82nd minute. Holmes volleyed home a defiant 15-yarder just before the end, but Southampton never really looked like saving Ihe game.

Notts Forest: P.Shilton, C.Barrett, F.Clark, J.McGovern, L.Lloyd, D.Needham, M.O'Neill, A.Gemmill, G.Birtles, T.Woodcock, J.Robertson, unused sub: I.Bowyer.
Southampton: T.Gennoe, I.Golac, D.Peach, S.Williams, C.Nicholl, M.Waldron, A.Ball, P.Boyer, A.Hayes (T.Sealy 83), N.Holmes, T.Curran.



Cover Scan


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