23/07/2008 - Forest beat burton in scrappy friendly
In the shadow of the Pirelli tyre factory, Nottingham Forest would have wished for a performance that suggested they are ready to get to grips with the twists and turns of the Championship.
In truth they did not quite get that. But it is hardly time for panic - they are on the right road.
This was a run-of-the-mill victory that provided plenty of cause for optimism but also failed to disguise one simple fact - there is still much work to be done between now and the start of the new campaign.
But that is far from a criticism, given that this was the first outing of the summer on English soil, following their German training camp and subsequent 2-1 victory over Ofenbach Kickers.
And this was a match in which Forest provided frequent short spells of menace, in which they proved themselves capable of opening up the opposition with consummate ease, as demonstrated by a rather comfortable final score-line.
But this was also rarely a match that rose above anything that was expected, as a squad comprised of a mixture of first team regulars, new signings and promising youngsters, eventually saw their superior quality shine through against a Burton side that was not lacking in spirit, work rate and, to be fair, creative moments.
Manager Colin Calderwood was the first to pick out the flaws in his side's performance, observing that they had too often lacked cohesion, creativity and cutting edge. But this is the right stage of the season to iron out such problems, with another four pre-season games still to come - starting with the trip to Telford tonight - before the Championship season kicks off.
And last night's game still provided the first opportunity for many Forest fans to assess summer signing Guy Moussi, the French midfielder, who read the game well and used the ball simply and effectively.
It also provided a stage for Arron Davies to suggest that he might be ready to put a season of injury frustration behind him, as he netted his second goal in two matches.
And, after a slow start, it was Forest who edged it in what was generally a close game.
It had taken only ten minutes for the home side to take a deserved lead, as they began with the greater urgency and momentum.
Winger Jonti Richter had already demonstrated his threat as he changed direction cleverly in the box and created the room to lift a bending shot narrowly over the bar and also when delivering a low centre that forced James Perch - playing as a central defender - into a vital clearance.
But Forest were guilty of allowing him too much space down the right again, this time to deliver accurately to the far post, where former Notts County man Michael Simpson was arriving to plant a confident headed finish just inside the upright.
Forest's only real threat had come when Nathan Tyson, playing as a lone striker, easily beat Ryan Austin for pace but saw his low cut-back well claimed by the keeper.
And Saul Deeney, another former Magpie, had to be alert when Arron Davies tested his reactions with a low 20-yard drive as Forest went in search of an equaliser.
The Burton keeper did not fare so well when the Reds netted a bizarre equaliser which much of the travelling support failed to spot.
It was again Davies who sent a rising shot fizzing goalwards and Deeney's attempt at palming over the bar finished with the ball dropping softly into the back of the net - with the Forest support at the other end of the ground only realising it was in when the players returned to the centre for the restart.
Forest could have taken a swift lead when Tyson lead a quick break down the left and sent a deep cross to the far post where a looping header from Mark Byrne was almost converted by Mikel Darnet, an 18-year-old Frenchman signed from Cannes who had expected to be involved in the youth set-up, but who has impressed in training and was rewarded with a start.
Although Burton were not short of ambition, with only the firm outstretched hand of Smith denying Jody Banim who had flashed an instant shot across the face of goal.
Forest came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break, as they enjoyed three chances in quick succession, with Austin intervening with a desperate block to prevent a Heath cut-back reaching Tyson, McGugan seeing a bending shot blocked and Tyson then failing to connect on the volley from six yards as a clever ball from McGugan dropped over his shoulder.
But it took only two minutes of the second half before they did make it 2-1, as a fine solo effort from McGugan saw him twist and turn through two challenges and into the box before connecting with a powerful shot that Deeney got a hand to, but again couldn't keep out.
Another former Notts County player, Shaun Harrad, almost scored with his first touch after coming on as a half-time substitute, but lashed a low shot wide of Smith's post, while Banim forced an adept save from the keeper following a mazy run.
Deeney redeemed himself with a smart stop at the feet of Tyson, after the striker had latched onto an enticing cross from Byrne.
And, as Forest found their stride, Tyson turned creator once more, surging down the right before creating the room for McGugan to curl narrowly wide.
It was a fitting that Tyson had the final say, following a hungry performance, as he slid in at the far post to prod home a cross from substitute Adam Newbold in the 81st minute and make certain of victory, albeit a scrappy one.
BURTON: Deeney, Brayford (Harrad 45) Corbett, Simpson, Austin, James, Richter, McGrath, Carey-Bertram (Stride 75), Banim (Holmes 58), Bailey. Sub not used: Taylor.
FOREST: Smith, Moloney, Perch (Mitchell 76), Morgan (Sharpe 64), Heath, Davies, Moussi, Bryne (Thornhill 73), Darnet (Newbold 70), McGugan (Reid 72), Tyson. Subs: Roberts, Sinclair.
REFEREE: O Langford.
ATTENDANCE: 2,340.