Malcolm Shotton launched his managerial reign with Oxford United in startling
fashion when they sunk the First Division leaders at the City Ground.
And it was a victory Oxford thoroughly deserved against a disjointed Forest
side, who lost their way in the second half.
Oxford always had a competitive edge and their victory was a reward for the
players' workrate.
But they also had a match-winner in Joey Beauchamp, who stamped his class on
the game with a double strike.
His first came after just eight minutes when he moved onto a flick from former
Forest striker Nigel Jemson and beat Forest keeper Dave Beasant and saw his shot
hit the inside of the post before crossing the line.
Forest almost conceded a second goal soon afterwards when Jemson, put through
by David Smith, saw a right-foot shot deflected narrowly wide.
It was a below par Forest display from the start but they were given a
lifeline with a 26th minute penalty after Kevin Campbell had been brought by
Martin Gray just inside the box.
Pierre Van Hooijdonk stepped up to ram home his 24th goal of the season and at
that stage it looked odds on Forest finding their feet.
Van Hooijdonk had a header cleared off the line by Gray just three minutes
before the break but any hopes Forest had of taking control were extinguished
early in the second half.
They gave the ball away and Beauchamp revealed his quality by drifting past
Thierry Bonalair and Alan Rogers before delivering a superb strike past Beasant
and into the far corner of the net.
The goal spurred Oxford as they frustrated a Forest side lacking in ideas and
punch in attack.
The visitors continued to defend with some degree of comfort and wrapped up an
excellent afternoon's work with a clinching goal in injury time.
The ball was played forward to substitute Matthew Murphy and with Forest
caught out of position, he coolly lobbed the ball over Beasant.
Teams:
Nottm Forest: Beasant, Lyttle, Rogers, Cooper, Chettle,
A. Johnson, D. Johnson (Armstrong 89), Thomas, Van Hooijdonk,
Campbell, Bonalair (Moore 89).
Subs Not Used: Pascolo.
Booked: Campbell.
Goals: Van Hooijdonk 28 pen.
Oxford Utd: Whitehead, Robinson, Wilsterman, Gray, Purse,
Gilchrist, Cook (Folland 75), Smith, Donaldson (Weatherstone 74),
Jemson (Murphy 84), Beauchamp.
Booked: Smith.
Goals: Beauchamp 8, 49, Weatherstone 90.
Att: 18,392
Ref: M J Jones (Chester).
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