Nottingham Forest won 4-2 at Blackburn Rovers in the Under-18 Premier League yesterday, with Connor Brown scoring a brilliant hat-trick.
Warren Joyce’s team are in fine form this season. They’ve really found a winning formula and are now unbeaten in four matches.
The Reds have climbed up to fifth in the division and are now looking to finish the season with a flourish.
Brown was the man tasked with playing through the middle as the centre-forward yesterday and he took his chance.
The youngster was added to the ranks from Lincoln and in December he was handed a first professional contract.
Brown has struggled to find some form in front of goal this season but the 17-year-old returned to his prolific best yesterday.
His three goals capped a fine victory. His first came from the penalty spot and his two other strikes were both scored in the second 45.
Forest’s other goal was scored by Archie Whitehall, whilst Theo Robinson was sent off with 20 minutes remaining.
For Brown it was a day that will live long in the memory, however. He claimed the first matchball of his career and he will hope there is more to come.
Forest U18s win and Brown is the hat-trick hero
Brown is only 17-years-old and there will be more to come from the talented centre forward.
The Reds will have high expectations of the youngster and handing him a professional deal is the ultimate show of faith.
Brown has some developing left to do but he’s certainly helping his case by scoring a hat trick to win his team matches.
Joyce is a master when it comes to nurturing young players. He was trusted by Sir Alex Ferguson with the youth team at Old Trafford and now he’s doing good things at Forest.
Brown was impeccable yesterday and he will hope to score even more between now and the end of the season.