The Nottingham Forest academy continues to carry the reputation as one of the finest in the country.
Forest moved to a Category One status just prior to promotion to the Premier League and that gives the club’s youngsters the chance to compete against better players.
The Forest B-Team play in the Premier League 2, with the under-18s currently playing in the Premier League on Saturday mornings too.
One competition that requires Forest to enter is the Nottinghamshire County Cup – which the Reds managed to win last season.
On Tuesday night the champions kicked off the defence of the title with a trip to United Counties Division One outfit Rainworth Miners Welfare.
A number of well-known names from the development teams played for the Reds – although they left it very late to get through to the next round.
Nottingham Forest win County Cup tie against Rainworth
The line-up saw a team built up largely of under-18 players with a smidgen of B-Team players thrown in for some experience.
Forest XI vs Rainworth: Harry Griffiths; Georgios Lemonakis, David Modupe, Olusanya Aina; Faruq Smith, Adam Berry, Archie Whitehall, Kristian Clarke, Jonathan Whiteley; Connor Brown, Shea Cahill
Rainworth haven’t been performing great in their respective league this season – but boy did they give the Reds a fright.
A tentative first half saw neither team really imposing themselves on the game in the final third, with Forest restricted to half chances.
Shortly after the break, Rainworth should have been in front but defender Sam Allcock headed wide when it looked easier to score.
The game had looked to be heading for a penalty shootout but as the game edged into stoppage time, Adam Berry – signed from Manchester United – found the net with a beauty of a free-kick.
The goal was just reward for Berry who had been a tireless presence in the engine room all night.
Archie Whitehall stars during County Cup victory
The standout performer was quite clearly the Forest captain, Whitehall.
In pre-season, he picked up a rather nasty head injury but he’s returned brilliantly and scored a late winner against Carlisle in the EFL Trophy earlier this season.
Whitehall has glimpses of Ryan Yates about him.
Not only did he wear the armband but he also puts himself about in a similar dogged style to Yates and he’s also a calming presence on the ball.
I saw a player who was strong with both feet, looked comfortable making a tackle and organised the young troops like a seasoned professional during the 1-0 win.
At 18-years-old, Whitehall still has a lot to learn but the club clearly likes him and have already tied him to a professional contract.
On Tuesday, the midfielder clearly had the respect of his teammates and it was his determination and drive that set the tone from the first whistle.
Watch this space but we think Whitehall could be a future first-team player at the City Ground.
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