- Reds begin pre-season with 3-1 defeat to Coventry City
- Two XIs play 45 minutes each as Biancone scores first Forest goal
Our four new signings all started from the off, with Moussa Niakhaté partnering Joe Worrall and Steve Cook in defence, Dean Henderson starting on goal, Giulian Biancone starting at right wing-back and Taiwo Awoniyi partnering Lyle Taylor up top.
The Reds registered the first shot on target inside seven minutes. Niakhaté found Taylor who exchanged a quick one-two with Colback before firing straight at Ben Wilson from the edge of the area.
The Reds’ dominance continued when Niakhaté drilled a ball into Taylor who found Lolley, but he lashed an effort high and wide from 25 yards.
Joe Lolley was forced off with injury despite trying to shake off a knock, replaced by Oli Hammond with just over 30 minutes gone.
The Reds were presented with another good chance as Ioannou crossed in for Taylor who glanced a diving header narrowly wide.
But in the 40th minute, Forest took the lead when the ball fell for Giulian Biancone who found the bottom corner with a left-footed effort from close-range.
With the last kick of the half though, Coventry found an equaliser. Callum O’Hare flicked the ball over the top of the Forest defence with Godden latching onto the through ball and finding the bottom corner with a first-time finish.
HALF TIME: Forest 1-1 Coventry
Ten changes were made at the break with a youthful looking Forest side taking to the field for the second half as the Spanish sun continued to shine.
Viktor Gyökeres threatened to find a second goal for City as he drove forward and saw an effort deflect wide.
Xande Silva then escaped Bidwell down the right channel and pulled the ball back for Hammond who couldn’t divert an effort on target.
But a few minutes later, Coventry took the lead. A quick break saw Fabio Tavares released down the right flank and cut the ball back for Waghorn who flicked into the path of Tyler Walker and the former Forest man found the net with a composed finish.
Nuno da Costa shrugged off Ryan Howley before cutting inside and seeing an effort blocked, before Silva stung the palms of Moore with an effort inside the area.
The Reds then squandered an excellent chance as Ojeda ghosted past two challenges and crossed in low for da Costa who couldn’t connect properly with the cross before poked wide at the far post.
da Costa chased a through ball down and shot straight at Moore one-on-one as Forest looked to carve a way back into the game.
But moments later, Walker found himself through on goal and fired beyond Smith for his second goal and City's third of the game.
Alex Mighten showed excellent footwork to get down the left flank and before squaring for Ojeda who saw an effort parried by Moore after stinging the goalkeeper’s palms.
City could have made it four deep into the second half but Tavares hit the post from close-range with only Smith to beat on the angle.
The full-time whistle blew, with our first full week of training ending a 3-1 defeat to the Sky Blues.
FULL TIME: Forest 1-3 Coventry
Forest first half XI: Dean Henderson; Joe Worrall, Steve Cook, Moussa Niakhaté; Giulian Biancone, Ryan Yates, Jack Colback, Nicholas Ioannou; Joe Lolley (Oli Hammond 37'); Lyle Taylor, Taiwo Awoniyi
Forest second half XI: Jordan Smith; Fin Back, Loic Mbe Soh, Jonathan Panzo, Aaron Donnelly; Cafu, Braian Ojeda; Xande Silva, Oli Hammond, Alex Mighten; Nuno da Costa