Extra time goals from Archie Whitehall and Manni Norkett sealed Nottingham Forest’s B Team’s place in the final of the Premier League International Cup in a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao at The City Ground.
After a goalless 90 minutes on Trentside, Warren Joyce’s side netted towards the end of each period of extra time to secure the win against the Spanish side.
Forest started strong when Jack Perkins played a low ball to the right for Jimmy Sinclair. His effort on goal was pushed into the path of Zyan Blake, who side-footed the ball into the bottom corner, but Blake was ruled to have been offside, keeping the score at 0-0.
Ben Hammond had an attempt from a corner that narrowly missed the far post before at the other end, George Murray-Jones was called into action, using a strong right hand to stop Javier Elias’s goal-bound header from a corner.
Bilbao continued to press for the opener with Ekain Azkune, heading over the bar from just inside the six-yard box.
The Forest midfield combined well before Sinclair floated a low cross into the box, but captain Kyle McAdam could not get the desired enough contact, sending the ball narrowly wide of the post.
Azkune was beginning to create problems for the Forest defence, cutting inside and firing a shot towards the goal that only hit the side netting, sending the two sides in level at the break.
Half time: Forest 0-0 Athletic Bilbao
The visitors started the second half well, but when a deep corner kick found an unmarked player at the back post, he could only watch as his effort flew over the bar.
However, Forest had the best chance when Blake picked up the ball in midfield, driving toward the backline of Bilbao.
He laid it off to Jack Nadin, but the Forest midfielder could not generate enough power, and the ball fell comfortably into the ‘keeper's arms.
In the final stages of normal time, it was the young Reds that looked more likely to steal a late winner, with newly introduced Frank Djamna causing problems for the backline of Bilbao, but the winning goal proved elusive and the tie ended goalless.
Full time: Forest 0-0 Athletic Bilbao
Towards the end of the first period of extra time Forest made the breakthrough when a corner was taken short and played to the edge of the box to Whitehall.
His low, well-drilled effort found the bottom corner, giving the Reds the lead deep into the first half of extra time, in front of 1800 Reds inside The City Ground.
Bilbao began to launch crosses into the box and when Iker Monreal was found unmarked, his effort flew just above the crossbar.
But Forest were given a chance to seal the tie when Norkett was fouled in the box in the final five minutes of extra time.
The referee pointed to the penalty spot, and Norkett stepped up to take the penalty, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way and securing a place for Forest in the final of the Premier League International Cup, where they will face either Fulham or Lyon.
After extra time: Forest 2-0 Athletic Bilbao
Nottm Forest: Murray-Jones, Thompson, Abbott, Hanks (Berry 45'), Sinclair (Newton 102'), Perkins (Whitehall 99'), Hammond, Powell, Nadin (Norkett 114'), Blake (Frank 73'), McAdam
Subs: Willows, Whitehall, Newton, Berry, Frank, Norkett, Collins
Athletic Club U21: Gastesi, Louis-Jean (Zarandona 61'), Monreal (Duñabeitia 45'), Ebro, Elías, Rego (Lete 45'), Aguilar, Olabarrieta (Sainz de Leciñana 83'), Adrián Pérez (Sanz 45'), Azkune (Urzaiz 105'), Hierro
Subs: Zarandona, Gamen, Duñabeitia, Lete, Urzaiz, Sanz, Sainz de Leciñana