U18s: Four-star City sweep Forest aside

Quickfire goals from Dan Ogwuru and Luca Barrington set Ben Wilkinson’s side on our way after just eight minutes and late strikes from Josh Adam and Barrington clinched a comfortable triumph, ensuring Jack Nadin’s first-half effort proved a mere consolation for the visitors.

The victory - fully deserved with a dominant display - extended our unbeaten run at the City Football Academy to 21 games, closing the gap on league leaders Blackburn Rovers to five points.

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What happened

City headed into the clash in fine form – unbeaten in our last eight games, winning five and drawing three and having defeated Liverpool 2-0 in the Premier League Cup last time out.

Meanwhile, Forest had endured a difficult start to the campaign, starting the day bottom of the table, and the home side asserted their dominance from the off, racing into a two-goal lead.

Ogwuru opened the scoring, finishing off an early counter-attack with a smart left foot finish, having been teed up by Barrington.

Three minutes later, the lead was doubled, as the same combination yielded the same result – this time Ogwuru turned provider, releasing Barrington down the right, who cut inside and curled well into the far corner.

Forest almost had an immediate response, as Dale Taylor blazed over the bar, while Liam Smith and Rico Lewis both saw efforts saved well by Aaron Bott in the visitors’ goal.

Though City dominated possession, Forest clawed themselves back into the game on 43 minutes as Nadin converted the rebound after George Murray-Jones had done well to deny Taylor.

City continued to probe after the break - Barrington whistling an effort just past the post before the hour, while Josh Adam twice went close and Ogwuru was unfortunate to hit an effort off-target on the turn.

Nico O’Reilly also fired straight at Bott before City made sure of the points with just under ten minutes to go, as Liam Smith and Adam combined - the latter finishing to restore our two-goal cushion.

Barrington then doubled his personal tally, rocketing an effort into the top corner on the angle from Adam’s free-kick lay-off.

Though there was still time for Forest to threaten a second - Murray-Jones thwarting Taylor - the home side cruised to a comfortable win.

How we lined up

CITY XI: Murray-Jones, Lewis, I Smith (Katongo 46’), Alleyne (Taylor 77’), Whittingham, Susoho, Barrington, O’Reilly, Ogwuru (Breckin 82’), Adam, L Smith

SUBS: McNamara, Mebude

FOREST XI: Bott, Hammond, Abbott, Hanks, Johnson (C), Thompson, McDowell (McAdam 46’), Powell, Taylor, Nadin, Gardner (Esapa Osong 59’)

SUBS: Akers, Barker, Claridge

What it means

Second-placed City have 18 points from our opening nine games, winning five and drawing three - our only defeat at the hands of Wolves in September, as we look to close the gap on Blackburn, who have played a game more.

Forest stay bottom with just one win from their opening seven games.

Up next

City’s U18s are back in action on Saturday 4 December with a league trip to Stoke City, kicking off at 13:00 UK time.

Watch City EDS/U18s on CITY+

A selection of live matches involving our EDS and Academy sides will be broadcast across the month on CITY+.

Our Elite Development Squad play host to Brighton & Hove Albion in Premier League 2 on Friday 17 December.

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Brian Barry-Murphy’s youngsters will be keen to round off the month with an important three points as we continue our defence of the PL2 title.

And you can also cheer on our Under-18s with a CITY+ subscription.

Ben Wilkinson’s side will be on CITY+ once again on Saturday 18 December when we lock horns with Blackburn Rovers at 12:00 at the CFA.

In total, the £1.99 per month subscription to CITY+ entitles you to five different live games across the month of December.