Forest's B Team emerged victorious over Leicester City U21s as Thompson’s 80th-minute finish secured all three points in the Premier League Cup on Monday night.
Jack Thompson’s 80th-minute goal from a Josh Powell freekick was enough to beat the Foxes in an East Midlands clash with contrasting halves.
In a first half with limited openings, it was Forest who had the more promising spells, as just seven minutes in, Kristian Fletcher forced a defensive wakeup call for the hosts as his jinking run had to be well dealt with.
This set a tone for the first 30 minutes, with Forest struggling to find an opening for a shot through a resilient Leicester backline.
However, Jimmy Sinclair finally reaped the rewards of his hard work, as his cross from the right wing deflected off of Jahmari Lindsay’s head and looped over Harry French in net, giving The Reds the lead half an hour in.
Sinclair was having joy down the right-hand flank, and again caused problems five minutes after his goal, forcing a corner with a driven cross after being threaded through by Perkins.
HALF TIME: Leicester U21s 0-1 Forest B
The second half was much more action-packed, with both teams taking advantage of a stretched game as they sought after a goal.
Sinclair was causing problems again on the right two minutes after the restart, being played through and forcing a driven cross to Fletcher, whose initial shot was blocked before it fell to Jack Perkins whose effort was nicked away and cleared.
But it was Leicester who claimed the first goal of the half, as Jayden Joseph was found with a deep cross and his header looped over George Murray-Jones in the Forest net.
Forest were quick to reapply the pressure however, with Sinclair and Kyle McAdam combining to force the Leicester defence to keep alert.
Josh Powell then whipped in a brilliant freekick right across the face of goal, but Forest were unable to get any contact to force the ball home.
This set a precedent for set-pieces, as just 10 minutes later, Thompson was able to force the ball into the back of the net after another one of Powell’s freekicks was flicked on by Ben Hammond towards the back post.
This goal from Thompson eventually proved to be the winner, as Forest collected three points in their opening PL Cup fixture against the Foxes.
FULL TIME: Leicester U21s 1-2 Forest B
Forest B Team: Murray-Jones, Back, McAdam, Hammond, Abbott, Perry (Thompson), Sinclair, Perkins, Fletcher (Anisjko), Whitehall (Berry), Powell
Subs not used: Griffiths, Nadin
Goals: Lindsay (OG.) 30’, Thompson 79’
Leicester City U21s: French, Joseph, Godsmark-Ford, McAlinney, Lindsay; Onanaye (Hill), Briggs, Evans, Alves (King), Monga, Pennant (Amartey)
Subs not used: Bausor, Page
Goal: Joseph 58’