H KENNY BURNS IN ONE OF
E 'THOU SHALT NOT PASS AT
COSTS' MOODS. AJAX WERE
LLED TIME AND TIME AGAIN
iting in Nottingham Ajax felt the full force of Forest's
erware they had remarkably won the previous season
art Ajax were hit by wave after wave of attacks and su
it was almost inevitable that a goal would come,
i in the 33rd minute when John Robertson produced on
mark pin-point crosses for Larry Lloyd and Garry Birtles
nd the ball broke kindly for Trevor Francis to drive home
ancis causing endless problems we went in pursuit of
oal cushion and just after the hour, we got our rewar
icis hooked the ball over goalkeeper Pete Schrijvers a
en Cees Zwamborn handled, Robertson sent the Dutcl
leper the wrong way from the spot.
Ie could easily have had more goals in the final half h
Dut Ajax were denied a vital away goal when Peter Sir
made a highly-significant save from Lerby.
Clough described Francis's performance on the nigh
'his best for the club'.
He added: "It was a superb all-round performance
although I thought we could have had and probabl
deserved another goal, you always settle for a 2-0
scoreline after a home leg."
And so to Amsterdam.
There was no disguising the quiet optimism in the
Forest camp but they knew they were in for a night
high anxiety with Ajax protecting a record of just o
home defeat in 46 European home ties.
Clough sacrificed the artistry of Stan Bowles for Ian Bo
reliability and, as it turned out, we needed every bit of
defensive strength and character to see us through.
luch more was seen of Krol's influence on Dutch soil and
masterminded an attacking display that promised goals.
ut with Kenny Burns in one of those 'thou shalt not pa;
all costs' moods, Ajax were repelled time and time agai
■n Burns was not stopping Ajax, Shilton was with two s^
Lerby and Bonsink.
h 66 minutes gone our firm grip on the tie was eased w
ked Lerby headed home from a corner,
ominant we simply refused to concede a second goal
hose first leg display had set up the passage to the fir
e tie beyond Ajax.
t to be a memorable clash against Leo Beenhakker's sidi
not be quite so memorable but there's no doubt it will
years ago.
