NOTTINGHAM FOREST 4 CITY 0
League Division 1
23rd February 1980
attendance 27,255
scorers Francis(26, 56 & 70), Burns(48)
ref Terry Morris
City Corrigan, Ranson, Donachie, Reid, Caton, Booth, Henry, Robinson, Palmer, Power, Bennett – Sub MacKenzie(unused)
Forest Shilton, Anderson, Gray, McGovern, Lloyd, Burns, O’Neill, Bowles, Birtles, Francis, Robertson – sub Bowyer(unused)
FROM AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE CITY PROGRAMME 3RD SEPTEMBER 1980
A hat-trick from Trevor Francis wrecked the Blues, Burns adding the other goal which left City just 4 points clear from the third bottom club.
Forest had City on the rack, three times hitting the woodwork, missing a penalty through Robertson and creating several other chances before easing up for the closing quarter of the game.
Francis collected his first after Paul Power had stopped a Burns drive and the goalmouth scramble that ensued ended with Francis heading in. A Robertson cross, after repossessing the ball from Ranson, set-up Burns for a header and 2-0. Francis side-footed the next after moving onto a Birtles pass and the partnership worked again 13 minutes later. Birtles slipped a forward pass midway in the City half and Francis slammed his shot under the advancing Joe Corrigan.
Nicky Reid never despaired, his tackling being very effective. Dave Bennett, too, indicated his promise while Roger Palmer had two shots excellently saved by Shilton…