Nottingham Forest played in front of 9,000 at Northampton Town’s Sixfield Stadium last night and came away with an impressive 2-0 win, a third victory of pre-season, thanks to second half goals from Lyle Taylor and Cafu.

Jordan Smith started in goal with two young full backs Jayden Richardson and Jordan Gabriel starting alongside Scott McKenna and Joe Worrall who made their first starts of pre-season.

Also making his first start of the summer was Joe Lolley with Cafu, Ryan Yates, Joao Carvalho and Alex Mighten behind Lewis Grabban in attack.

1,000 reds fans were in attendance as both sides had chances in an otherwise even first half, at the break Manager Chris Hughton introduced Loic Mbe Soh and Lyle Taylor with the Montserrat international needing just a couple of minutes to open the scoring all be it at the second attempt.

Cafu then struck on 61 minutes with a twenty yard strike that beat Cobblers keeper Liam Roberts and that lead to a number of substitutions as the likes of Baba Fernandes, Ateef Konate and Nuno Da Costa were introduced.

Further late appearances for Tyrese Fornah and Fin Back saw Forest finish with a young team which ironically, could have mostly featured in the under 23’s had they not been playing at Basford United at the very same time.

Whilst the Reds first team were in action at Northampton, Andy Reid’s U23’s were up against Basford United and another packed house at Greenwich Avenue.

Forest opened the scoring on 14 minutes when a cross was fired in by Esapa Osong but the Northern Premier League side equalised through Rev James who raced on to an Adam Collin clearance to slot home.

Elsewhere Mansfield Town were beaten 1-0 by Grimsby Town behind closed doors at the RH Academy with Stags Manager Nigel Clough stating “It was another good run-out for us, physically more than anything else in this heat,”

Clough, who’s side were also beaten by Matlock on Friday night, said “Some of our play has to be better, and that will improve in the coming weeks.”

“There were some good performances, but it’s about fitness more than anything else. We’re pleased with that, as we got 65 minutes into the majority of the lads.”

*Main image @NFFC Forest fans return in numbers to Sixfields.