Stone secures precious lead
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Auxerre 0 Nottingham Forest 1
Steve Stone's third goal in three games and a display of defensive grit ensured Nottingham Forest put one foot firmly into the third round of the Uefa Cup.
Stone, England's newest recruit in Oslo last week, took advantage of a slip on the greasy surface by his Nigerian marker, Taribo West, to burst on to a pass by Alf Inge Haland - a surprise selection in place of Bryan Roy - after 23 minutes to lob the stranded goalkeeper, Fabien Cool. Forest rode their luck and rewarded their determination to protect a precious first-leg lead for the return match at the City ground in two weeks' time.
It was winger Ian Woan who became an unlikely defensive hero, clearing off the line on no fewer than three occasions, although furious Auxerre claimed his first rescue act, from Algerian midfielder Moussa Saib's fierce cross-shot, came after the ball had crossed the line.
The Italian referee, Pierluigi Collina, was ideally placed to rule that Woan's clearance was legitimate and he turned his back on strong protests by the French team, although he stopped to show the yellow card to Christophe Cocard when he continued the argument.
Woan, booked for a foul on Lilian Laslandes and lucky to stay on the pitch after bringing down Sabri Lamouchi just seconds later, spearheaded Forest's resistance in a second half that was played almost exclusively in and around their penalty area.
In goal, Mark Crossley twice kept out Saib with splendid saves, but in the end it was Woan who did most to protect the lead. Twice within seconds during the last five minutes defender Franck Silvestre banged in goal- bound efforts, after moving up front following the exit of sweeper Laurent Blanc.
But Woan first kicked away and then headed behind for a corner at full stretch to start a party among the 1,300 Forest supporters. However, Forest's night was tarnished by reports of trouble in a bar, where drunken fans caused damage and clashed with police.
Auxerre: Cool, Goma, Silvestre, Blanc (Rabarivony, 57), West, Lamouchi, Saib, Martins, Cocard, Laslandes (Guivarc'h, 72), Diomede (Tasfaout, 71).
Nottingham Forest: Crossley, Lyttle, Pearce, Cooper, Chettle, Haland, Bart-Williams, Gemmill, Stone, Lee (Silenzi, 71), Woan.
Referee: P Collina (Italy).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments