Nottingham Forest secured another win in the Professional Development League last night with the under-23s defeating Sheffield Wednesday.
The Reds ran out 1-0 winners at Meadow Lane, with Andy Reid’s men scoring a 90th-minute winner against the Owls.
Forest’s goal was an emotional one for a particular player.
Keith Asare has been out for 11 months with a serious knee injury and made his return to the squad last night.
He was introduced into the action in the second half as he builds up his match fitness and fired in a last minute winner.
It was just the tonic for the Ghana-born youngster who has worked tirelessly to fight his way back to under-23 action.
It was a relatively inexperienced team that faced the South Yorkshire-based side, with no first team players given minutes.
Ateef Konate was once again in action, with Dale Taylor winning a chance to impress having made the step up from the under-18 ranks.
After the game, under-23 manager Reid took to Twitter to speak of his pride at his team – and in particular Asare.
Reid looks to be getting a strong tune out of the under-23 squad this season and along with Gary Brazil overseeing the academy the future looks bright.
Asare will be keen to make up for lost time after time out with his serious injury.
With the under-23s playing some good football and winning games he should relish playing in Reid’s team.
If he does hit the goal trail the pathway towards the first-team could be relatively clear.
Will Swan made his first-team debut on Sunday and Asare will hope to stay in form and earn himself a chance in Chris Hughton’s team.
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