U21s beaten by Fulham

By Cai Parry

Forest U21s lost out narrowly in the Premier League Cup against Fulham on Friday night, putting an end to the side’s six-game unbeaten run.

A flurry of early chances saw the young Reds get the better of the opportunities in the opening stages, with the best coming for Dale Taylor after just eight minutes.

The 18-year-old latched onto a through ball in behind the Fulham defence and rounded the goalkeeper but couldn’t finish, as his powerful effort from a tight-angle sailed over the bar.

Despite a good start for Forest, Fulham were the ones to break deadlock just 13 minutes in. Sylvester Jasper smashed home from seven yards out after the ball dropped in the Forest area from a corner.

The visitors almost doubled their lead in the 24th minute when Matt Dibley-Dias’ curled left-footed effort from outside the box rattled the post, going out for a goal-kick.

Forest were forced into an early change due to injury, as Sam Collins made way for George Hemmings just shy of the half-hour mark.

Just before the interval, Fulham struck the woodwork once more. Ollie O’Neill’s delivery from a free kick found Ibane Bowat at the back post, whose thunderous header smashed against the crossbar forcing the Reds to clear their lines.

Half time: Forest U21s 0-1 Fulham

The visitors started the second half in similar fashion to how they ended the first half. Martial Godo broke down the right-hand side and whipped a dangerous cross into the Forest box, forcing Zach Abbott to clear the danger.

Godo continued to cause problems down the right flank and found Oliver Sanderson with an inch-perfect cross, but the visiting forward’s header flew wide of the mark.

George Shelvey denied the visitors a second goal in the 59th minute. The Forest stopper got a strong hand to Jasper’s effort from outside the box and kept his side in the game.

The young Reds almost levelled the scoring in the 61st minute through Alex Gibson-Hammond, whose headed effort was caught well by Alex Borto after the forward got on the end of Aaron Donnelly’s cross.

First half goalscorer Jasper continued to threaten as he made a darting run towards the Forest backline. Skipper Loic Mbe Soh was strong in the challenge to deny the forward from advancing, regaining possession for the hosts.

Fulham continued to pressurise the Forest defence through Republic of Ireland U21 international Ollie O’Neill who broke into the penalty area and looked to strike on goal, but Jamie McDonnell’s last ditch slide tackle denied the visitors once more.

Some impressive work from Oli Hammond down the right-hand side to keep the ball in play saw an opportunity arise for Gibson-Hammond. The forward’s effort was high and wide of the mark, keeping Fulham’s clean sheet intact.

Jasper doubled the visitors’ lead in the 82nd minute for his second of the occasion, tapping in at the far post after running onto O’Neill’s square ball.

The lively Jasper then sent O’Neill in behind the young Reds’ defence with a slick through ball, but the Irishman’s first-time effort was skied over the crossbar.

Substitute Lewis Salmon almost pulled one back for Forest in added time. The forward’s strike on goal forced Borto into a strong save, with the ball rolling just inches wide of the post.

Another chance came for the young Reds in the dying moments of the match through Oli Hammond. The Wales U21 international’s headed effort was denied by a Bowat goal line clearance.

The full time whistle ended Forest’s six game unbeaten run, who will now turn to focus on next week’s cup clash against Hull City at The Impact Arena.

Full time: Forest U21s 0-2 Fulham