Virginia Beach Mariners 2-0 Nottingham Forest

As the game kicked off there was already a feeling of fatigue about the Forest side. They had just completed a week of extensive training, as Kinnear looked to get them fit in time for the big kick-off, and this showed.

The match began slowly and the blazing heat of the East Coast sun probably played it's part in this. There weren't many shots on goal but the ones that they were, were either wide of the goal, or weak attempts that did nothing to trouble the keepers.

By the 20th minute, however, The Mariners were on top. Dante Washington, whom has been Virginia's top scorer this season with an impressive 10 goals so far, effortlessly ripped through The Reds' defence to meet a cross in which he got a powerful diving header on the end of. 1-0 to them.

This wasn't the only time Forest back-line was to be breached, either. The Americans continued to play some good football and to create chances, and so Forest countered this with some good runs from Andy Reid, David Johnson and also Any Impey.

Mid-way through the first half, French defender Louis-Jean unfortunately picked up a back injury and was to become Kinnear's army's first casualty of many. He was taken off the field of play, and soon after Thommo was to follow suite- he had suffered an injury to his arm.

The match continued on in much the same way for the remainder of the first half. That was until, five minutes from time, the Mariners wondered into the Forest box, and after what can only be described as a melee, found themselves celebrating a goal. 2-0. Carlos Garcia the scorer.

Second Half: Mariners made numerous changes during the half-time interval and Andy Reid was replaced by new-boy Kris Commons who was to taunted by a couple of Stoke fans who just happened to be at last night's game.

A short while in to the second half, when the game was beginning to seem extremely dull and the Forest faithful who had been saving up for months would have been wondering what for- Paul Evans made a crunching tackle on one of the mariners players. The tackle would have been one psycho was proud of if he had timed it correctly- but he didn't- and was dismissed from the playing field.

As this was only a friendly fixture, however, the referee allowed Eugen Bopp to come on for Forest to make up the numbers. Wes Morgan was then replaced by Gregor Robertson due to stomach troubles.

Towards the end of last night's fixture Forest really did start to play. Bit too late though, lads. They made some good moves but, rather unfortunately, David Johnson and Gareth Taylor were unable to provide the end product.

Forest: Gerrard, Louis-Jean (Westcarr), Morgan (Robertson), Thompson (James), Rogers, Impey, Evans (Bopp), Reid (Commons), Jess, Johnson, Taylor

*Evans Red Card

Injuries: Louis-Jean (back), Morgan (stomach), Thompson (shoulder), James (knee)

Mariners' Scorers: Washington 22mins, Garcia 42mins