U21 Report: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Saints

Simon Rusk’s side showed great control in the first half and went through Baylee Dipepa’s first Saints goal

Their lead was doubled on the hour mark through Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh, and resolute defending and some crucial saves from Adli Mohamed helped them to claim the three points.

Saints had the first shot in anger of the game when Romeo Akachukwu received the ball just outside the Forest penalty area, but his effort flew narrowly wide of the far corner.

Akachukwu tried his luck again on 20 minutes, this time from longer range, after brushing off an opponent’s challenge but his strike was well held by George Murray-Jones in the home goal.

Mohamed was then tested as Forest looked to build some momentum of their own – Joe Gardner slid his strike-partner Joe Berry through into a shooting position but Saints' shot stopper made a superb save.

Saints responded by creating the best piece of football of the first half as Jay Robinson, Brandon Charles and Baylee Dipepa all combined to the see the latter scoop over the crossbar.

Dipepa was not to be denied his first Saints goal for long though, and duly put his side into a deserved lead with an expert finish on the turn in the 33rd minute.

Baylee Dipepa notched his first for the club.

The confidence from Saints continued into the second half and an excellent move almost gave Dipepa his second of the evening.

Juan Larios and O’Brien-Whitmarsh combined on the left, with the latter played into a crossing position before his cross flashed past Dipepa, who was stretching to make contact from close range.

The second of the night arrived soon after though, and it was O’Brien-Whitmarsh who met a corner that was cleared to the edge of the box and struck a low first-time effort through the crowd.

Saints remained resolute to hold onto their lead, with shots from Forest’s Kyle McAdam and Jack Nadin both seeing kept out.

Mohamed was also forced into some more good action when he tipped Kristian Fletcher's shot wide.

Further chances for the hosts came and went – including another fierce strike from Fletcher that was tipped over superbly by Mohamed – but it was Saints who stuck to the task well and saw out their win.

The youngsters are in action again on Friday 18th October when they take on Fleetwood Town in the Premier League Cup, with kick off at the Snows Stadium set for 7pm.

Nottingham Fores: Murray-Jones, Back (Hammond 86), Powell, Abbott, Thompson, Perry, Sinclair (Fletcher 74), McAdam, Berry (Nadin 45), Gardner, Perkins.

Subs not used: Griffiths, Whitehall.

Yellow Cards: Berry, Back.

Saints: Mohamed, Tabares, Larios (Lett 77), Moore, Armitage, Buck, Charles (Merry 72), O'Brien-Whitmarsh, Dipepa (Ehibhatiomhan 82), Akachukwu (MacLeod 77), Robinson.

Subs not used: McNamara.

Goals: Dipepa 33, O'Brien-Whitmarsh 60.

Yellow Cards: Armitage, Larios.