Manchester United u18s returned from the international break with a trip away to Nottingham Forest.
First half
Forest almost took an early lead through Riko Robinson when he shot narrowly wide of the left post.
It was an even affair though with both sides trading blows.
United’s free kick specialist Jim Thwaites had the keeper scrambling from two set piece opportunities but couldn’t keep his efforts on target.
Fred Heath came up big for United with a pair of good saves to deny Kalum Thompson.
Heath couldn’t do anything though as Fuad Smith gave the home side a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute from a lightning counter attack down the left wing.
Second half
United trailed at the break but brought it back level just four minutes after the restart.
JJ Gabriel’s tricky feet earned United a free kick on the left wing for Thwaites to deliver into the box.
Godwill Kukonki towered above everyone in the box to finish with a glancing header into the bottom right corner.
Unfortunately, Forest restored their lead four minutes later.
Jayden Ngwashi did well to block a powerful shot initially but it left him on the ground which Forest exposed by finding the free space for Isaac Davies to score.
United fought for an equaliser until the death but Gabriel and Junior Brown were both denied by the keeper to earn Forest the three points.
Darren Fletcher reflected on the match saying “they took two of their opportunities and we didn’t; ours came from a wide free-kick and was a lovely cross from Jimmy and a very good header, but we’d have liked to create more good moments. The lads showed good spirit and effort, we just couldn’t quite get over the line despite some good moves late on.”
Match facts
United: Heath; Overy, Ngwashi (McEvoy 64), Kukonki, Watson (Plunkett 64); Thwaites (c), Shah (McCormack 64); Brown, Bailey, Gabriel, Lusale (E. Fletcher 74)
Subs: Z. Watson
Goals: Smith 35, Davies 53 | Kukonki 49
Feature image Lewis Storey via Getty Images
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Colm Murphy
A football obsessed Canadian who moved to England to enjoy the beautiful game. Colm has been keen follower of Manchester United’s famed academy since seeing a fresh faced Adnan Januzaj for the club’s u18s and has been writing about football with a focus on youth development for over 10 years. You can follow him X: RedYouthUnited.
