CITY 0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0
League Division 1
23rd December 1978
Attendance 37,012
ref Keith Styles
City Corrigan, Ranson, P Futcher, Donachie, Power, Watson, Owen, Channon, R Futcher, Hartford, Barnes – sub Viljoen(unused)
Forest Shilton, Anderson, Lloyd, Needhanm, Clark, O’Neill, McGovern, Gemmill, Robertson, Birtles, Woodcock – sub Bowyer(80)
RAY RANSON MAKES HIS CITY DEBUT
FROM THE PRESS BOX
JEFF HODGSON WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS FOOTBALL PINK FINAL 23RD DECEMBER 1978
Manchester City found a shining Christmas star in 18 year old Ray Ranson against League champions Nottingham Forest at Maine Road this afternoon.
The youngster came in at right back to face Brian Clough’s champions for his League debut and played Forest’s star winger, John Robertson out of the game.
But Ranson was one of the Blues’ few successes on a day that City, searching for their first League win since October 14, failed to take their chances.
Ron Futcher, back in the side at the expense of Polish World Cup ace Kaziu Deyna, missed a great chance in the first half and Mike Channon shot over the bar from a good scoring position in the second period.
Forest too, had their share of misses with Tony Woodcock screwing an easy chance wide and Martin O’Neill firing wide of the target.
On a difficult surface, City’s best men were England centre half Dave Watson and Paul Futcher, but the best work came from young Ranson.
