U18s: Nottingham Forest v United

Travis Binnion's youthful side gave a valiant effort, but the hosts proved too strong in a game that proved to be a steep learning curve for the Reds.

United trailed 1-0 going into at break, as a result of Ben Perry's opener, before Forest scored three in the second half to put the game to bed. 

The Reds had the chance to score late on and grab a consolation, but Keehan Willows denied James Nolan from the spot to see out the clean sheet for the home side. 

It was a bright start from Binnion’s side, who looked to get forward at every available opportunity in the opening stages of the game. The Reds aimed to exploit the space down the wings as much as possible, calling on midfielder Adam Berry to lift some dangerous crosses into the box. Despite the early pressure, but we couldn’t quite get on the end of them, and the Reds were made to rue the missed opportunities. 

Moments after a dangerous free-kick was gathered by Keehan Willows, United soon recovered the ball and began to build out from the back. However, pressure from Forest forward Conor Brown proved too much for shot-stopper Elyh Harrison, and Ben Perry pounced on the loose ball before finishingfrom close range.

Despite going behind, the young Reds took control of the game and dominated large parts of the first half, but couldn’t quite carve out the clear-cut chance that would see them back into the game. 

Moments before the half-time whistle, Harrison pulled off a magnificent save to deny George Hemmings’ sweeping effort to keep the scoreline at 1-0 heading into the break. 

The Reds emerged for the after the interval still very much in the tie, and in search of an equaliser. But the hosts had other ideas, and started the second 45 as strong as they had finished the first. 

Danny Anijsko, who was a thorn in United’s side all afternoon, was integral to Forest and won a penalty shortly after the restart. The tricky forward forced Jaydan Kamason into a challenge just inside the box, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot. Forest skipper Kyle McAdam stepped up and buried the spot-kick in the top corner, sending Harrison the wrong way.

The hosts continued their ruthlessness going forward, and were soon three goals to the good after brilliant play involving George Hemmings, with Forest’s no.8 slotting the ball through into the path of Anijsko. Harrison rushed out to close the angle, but Anijsko was first to it and lifted it over our shot-stopper to put the game to bed. 

In search of a way back into the game, United began to carve out opportunities once more.

Just over 10 minutes from the final whistle, the hosts added another one to make it 4-0. Binnion's side were caught out at the back, with Forest pushing high and piling on the pressure to force a turnover of possession. Second-half substitute, Kristian Clarke, picked up the loose ball and poked home from close range. 

The young Reds did have a chance to reduce the deficit from the spot in the final minutes of the game, but Nolan was denied Willows, who guessed correctly and dived to thwart the United man.

Match Details

United XI: Harrison; Kamason, Munro (Mantato 57), Jackson, Kingdon; Nolan, Berry, Scanlon; Williams, Musa, Ibragimov (Bailey 88). 

Unused substitutes: Myles, Armer.