Nottingham Forest U18 3-1 Bristol City U18 (FA Youth Cup Round Three) 07.12.21

Nottingham Forest are through to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after beating Bristol City at the City Ground last night.

The young Reds, Managed by Warren Joyce, had early opportunities to take the lead in the match before the impressive Detlef Esapa Osong found Dale Taylor on 22 minutes with the Northern Irish international forward firing home past Robins goalkeeper Casa-Grande.

That lead didn’t last long however as Palmer-Houlden finished from close range to level up on 28.

On 43 minutes Esapa Osong, a thorn in the Robins nest all night, clipped the crossbar with a shot inside the area and as Forest came out fast in the second half, further chances for Osong and Taylor went by before the big 17-year-old striker finally got on the scoresheet with a neat finish from inside the penalty area.

Esapa Osong netting on 60 minutes meant space in behind as the away team pushed players forward in attack to get themselves back in the game and it was the Reds who fully capitalised on that space, Jack Nadin adding a third on 75 sweeping home a loose ball inside the box.

Osong again went close after a driving run into the box saw him shoot off the bar. Reds keeper Bott was called into action late on to save from Oputeri to ensure a good night for Forest and a passage into the next round of the competition with another tie at the City Ground and the visit of Peterborough United, awaits.

Forest: Aaron Bott; Justin Hanks, Zach Abbott, Pharell Johnson, Joe Gardner, Jamie McDonnell, Josh Powell, Kyle McAdam (Samuel Collins 75), Jack Nadin (James Clarridge 90), Esapa Osong, Dale Taylor.

*Main image @NFFCAcademy Dale Taylor celebrates his opening goal.