Nottingham Forest were beaten by a single goal in their friendly against Union Berlin on Saturday as Taiwo Awoniyi faced his old club for the first time, the Reds record signing still looking to find the target for his new club.
The Bundesliga side who missed out on a Champions League place by just two points last season, took the lead nine minutes before half time, and that was the way it stayed with Forest falling short to their German hosts.
Steve Cooper did manage to give a debut to recent signing Lewis O’Brien from Huddersfield Town whilst Harry Toffolo started his second match, Jesse Lingard was not with the travelling party but could feature against Notts County on Tuesday night in a friendly match at Meadow Lane.
Also in action on Saturday, Mansfield Town who’s strong pre-season continues with a 3-0 win at Oldham Athletic. The recently relegated Latics became the first team that has previously played in the Premier League to fall into the National League, the Stags looking a league above their hosts with two goals from Rhys Oates and one late on from Ollie Hawkins.
Mansfield in good shape as they start their League Two campaign on Saturday away at Salford City.
Non-leaguers Basford United were beaten by Shepshed Dynamo 1-0 in their pre-season friendly at the Dovecote, Carlton Town beat Selston 6-1 whilst Worksop Town thumped a Chesterfield XI 8-0 at the Windsor Floodserve Stadium, Sandy Lane. It was the Tigers fifth successive pre-season victory with Liam Hughes grabbing a hat-trick, the striker with seven goals in six matches for Worksop.
Other selected friendlies included a 4-0 win for Kimberley Miners Welfare at Blidworth Welfare, a 4-3 win for AFC Mansfield against Shirebrook Town and a 2-1 win for Newark & Sherwood United at Retford FC.
*Main image @NFFC Brennan Johnson in action verses Union Berlin.
