Grimsby Town 0-3 Nottingham Forest (EFL Cup Round Two) 23.08.22

Nottingham Forest are through to the third round of the Carabao Cup after a comprehensive victory against League Two Grimsby at Blundell Park, although the home side didn’t go out without a fight, after a terrific performance by them in the second half.

Steve Cooper made eleven changes from the side that drew in the Premier League with Everton on Saturday with five debutants including goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, defender Giulian Biancone, midfielder Remo Freuler, attacker Emmanuel Dennis and youngster Aaron Donnelly all starting, Cheikh Kouyate making a first start too after his late substitute first appearance at Goodison Park.

It was a familiar face however who got Forest underway. The Reds wearing their yellow and blue away kit took the lead through a Ryan Yates belter, smashing home left footed a volley into the top corner which left Crocombe standing in the Grimsby goal rooted, after good work by Dennis on eighteen.

That lead was doubled when Cafu found Sam Surridge on 35 who smashed home in typical fashion to give Forest a comfortable half time deficit.

Grimsby made two changes at half time and Paul Hurst’s men fought back with a number of attempts on the Reds goal, the Mariners hitting the post after a cross headed by Ryan Taylor looped over Hennessey, but against the run of play the visitors counter-attacked late on and it was Awoniyi racing down the left on 77 who supplied Cafu who then gave to Surridge who grabbed his second of the match to make it 3-0 and put the tie to bed.

The Reds brought on Academy stars Dale Taylor, Ollie Hammond and sixteen-year-old defender Zach Abbott. A good workout for a new look team with experience and youth on offer in pleasing the away support who again sung as loudly as they possibly can.

Forest looking to really have a go this season at a competition they last won in 1990, having won four finals under Brian Clough they’ll be looking for a Wembley return having got a taste of silverware under Steve Cooper in the playoff final last May.

A good cup run will do wonders for the confidence of this side, it looks currently however, that confidence is certainly not an issue amongst the Nottingham Forest squad.

A routine win, a good workout, and a great night all around for those of Garibaldi blood.

Grimsby Town: Crocombe, Efete, Cropper (Pearson 62), Waterfall, Amos, Green (Khouri 78), Morris, Kiernan (Wearne 46), Holohan, Clifton (Maguire-Drew 78), Pepple (Taylor 46).

Nottingham Forest: Hennessey, Biancone, Kouyate (Hammond 69), Mbe Soh, Mighten (Abbott 86), Yates, Freuler, Donnelly, Cafu (Taylor 86), Dennis (Awoniyi 75), Surridge.

Venue: Blundell Park (8,418)

*Main image @NFFC the Forest players celebrate a stunning Ryan Yates opener.