Stoke’s final flourish knocks Forest out of playoffs!!

Forest (0) 1 Stoke (1) 4

22/7/20 7.30 Chsp
Stoke City finished the season with a flourish, but in doing so they’ve thrown Forest out of the play-offs – they finished 7th on goal-difference. Stoke finish a remarkable 15th with 56 points and 16 wins. It’s Stoke’s first win at Forest for over 25 years. Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:
One change for Stoke…oh, hang on TWO changes as Powell fails during warm up to be replaced by Tash Oakley-Booth. Nick should have been rested anyway. Clucas IS rested, with Jordan Thompson in. But surprise is sub Adam Porter (18 year old midfielder from Biddulph) who hopefully will get a game today. Stoke safe, but Forest wanting a point to be absolutely sure of a playoff spot. Enjoyable to watch the opposition looking nervous!
8.07 With the game end-to-end, defending McClean slices the ball straight to a Forest player when it seemed easier to belt it clear. Captain Martins Indi should have something to say about that. It’s probably his last game for Stoke. Stoke will then have to buy a left-back.
9.53 Amazing double save by Adam Davies. More poor Forest finishing than dazzling keeping.
15.25 Davies beaten, but Thompson clears off the line. Could he win Top Of The Jordans award tonight?
18.07 1-0 !!!! Blimey, that Danny Batth has scored again!, a header after a cross from the right by Thompson, who’d taken the corner short to the other Jordan (Cousins)
34.44 Joe Lolley breaks clear, but instead of shooting past Davies, tries a pass, and somehow Indi comes from nowhere to intercept.
36.30 After McClean breaks and is held back (not given), Michael O’Neill’s mood goes nuclear with the 4th official.
45+2 HT Forest 0 Stoke-with-nothing-to-play-for 1 (& only 33% possession)
46.25 Gregory charges through and belts one, sadly rising over. Lee clearly having too much fun.
51.50 Stoke players like Gregory harassing Forest in their own half!
53.07 Grabban almost out-foxes Batth, but he’s not an EFL player of the week for nothing.
59.01 Somehow Batth keeps the ball out and then does a flying header…
60.03 1-1 ! But not for long as Forest equalise from a corner, a header by Figueiredo from the right. Stoke defence caught napping.
61.45 Sorensen replaces Thompson, who looks tired. When we going to see Porter??
67.35 Masked man Yates getting too friendly with ref. Maybe ref doesn’t recognise him in that mask. Will he be wearing that in Sainsbury’s tomorrow?
71.23 Sam & Tash are replaced by Tyrese & Tymon.
72.30 2-1 !!! McClean finishes off a convoluted free-kick move whilst Forest claim offside. McClean rushes over to taunt the cardboard fans! Forest looking nervous…but surely they’re in the playoffs…? Stoke would have to score 2-3 more to wreck that!
77.03 3-1 !!! OMG! Forest sweating! Tymon crosses from the left, and Lee Gregory taps in! Tymon making a strong claim for the left back position!!
79.01 Masked man Yates is subbed…well, I think it’s Yates, but in that mask… In other news Ince comes on for Gregory.
88.05 Forest have heard that Swansea have scored again, leaving Forest out of the playoffs on goals-scored (with goal-difference the same!!!). GOOD GRIEF! Stoke fans will never be welcome in Nottingham ever again!!!
90+5 1-4 !!!! Forest crushed! McClean runs the length of the pitch, crosses for Ince, but da Costa intercepts for an own-goal!!!!! Forest fail to make playoffs. Forest players are gutted!!! What a finish to the season!
FT Forest 1 Stoke 4
Dave Lee
Dave Lee
Sports Reporter - Stoke City

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