Nottingham Forest 1 (Osong 8’)

Leeds United 0 

Forest XI: Abbott, Bott, Clarridge, Johnson, Thompson (Nadin 72’), Hammond, McDonnell, Collins, Powell, Gardner, Osong (Perry 59’)  

Subs not used: Perkins, Aker, Sarantis. 

Leeds XI: Christy, Littlewood, Chilokoa-Mullen, Sutcliffe (Coleman 46’), Godden, Carole, Snowdon, Thomas (Picksley 79’), Allen (Andreucci 46’), Spencer, U16.  

Subs not used: Ombang, Bradbury. 

Scott Gardner’s Under-18s side tasted defeat away from home, going down to an early goal against Nottingham Forest.

The hosts were on the front foot from kick-off at the Nigel Doughty Academy and looked to pressure the Leeds goal early on.

A mistake from Leeds in midfield allowed striker, Detlef Osong to latch onto a loose ball and run through on goal. He composed himself before seeing a gap at the near post to slide the ball into the back of the net. 

Between the posts for Leeds, Harry Christy was then called into action again. Joshua Powell found space on the edge of the box and struck a powerful left-footed effort, which the goalie tipped over the bar. 

Jamie McDonnell had an excellent chance to further Forest’s lead, but put his header wide at close range, before Joe Snowdon went down the other end and saw his goal shot effort blocked by the hosts. 

Leeds started to come into the game and were looking more dangerous as the interval approached, but they couldn’t break through Forest’s backline and went in behind. 

HALF TIME: Nottingham Forest U18s 1-0 Leeds United U18s

The Whites came out for the second half and were instantly looking rejuvenated, getting on the front foot and attempting to find an equaliser.  

The opportunity came for Gardner’s side to get level, when Keenan Carole tricked his way into the box and was brought down. Carole stepped up to take the penalty himself, but his strike was saved by Aaron Bott in the Forest net. 

Two quick fire chances then arrived for second half substitutes, Ben Andreucci and Cian Coleman, but again a combination of the Forest defence and ‘keeper denied them. 

Ben Perry was the next to go close for the Reds, as he flicked a header wide of the post, before Mitch Picksley added his name to the growing list of Leeds player to be denied by home side keeper, Bott. 

As the game edged closer to its conclusion, a final chance was denied in a goalmouth scramble. Picksley had flicked a header at goal but the hosts stood firm to deny him again, and the whistle went shortly after to give Forest all three points. 

FULL TIME: Nottingham Forest U18s 1-0 Leeds United U18s

Venue: Nigel Doughty Academy

Referee: Reece Davies

Booked: Powell, Gardner (Nottingham Forest), Spencer (Leeds United)