Sinnott brace and Cristian strike enough for the win
A healthy crowd at PPG Canalside watched Town’s Under-21 side take its seasonal League record to 12 wins and 1 draw from 13 games with a win over visitors Nottingham Forest, despite a spirited fightback from the away side.
Before today’s game, Forest were the only side to take points off Town’s Development Squad thanks to a goalless draw in the first League match of the season, but Steve Eyre’s side has now beaten every other side in the Professional Development League 2 North.
Town, whose team included the overage trio of Calum Woods, Oscar Gobern and Cristian Lopez, started the game well and looked to have put the tie to bed thanks to three quick-fire goals just after the half hour mark.
Captain Jordan Sinnott – playing at right back – got the scoring underway on 30 minutes, but the goal owed much to Joe Lolley. Fresh from his senior home debut for Town on Saturday, Lolley won his side a penalty when he was tripped during a typical powerful dribble into the right edge of the area, giving Sinnott the opportunity to beat the goalkeeper’s dive to his left from 12 yards.
Sinnott notched his second in as many minutes after another surging run – this time from Harry Bunn on the left – drew a careless trip from experienced Forest midfielder Jonathan Greening. Positioned to the left of goal on the edge of the box, Sinnott smashed a powerful shot past the goalkeeper to extend his side’s lead.
The third came from Sinnott’s right-sided corner in the 35th minute; an attempted clearance at the near post saw the ball fly up into the air and when Town centre half Joe Wright won the header, striker Cristian was on hand to turn the ball home on the goal line.
Forest showed excellent spirit to fight back in the second half, with substitute Tyler Walker latching onto a long ball forward from Keiron Wallace and getting the better of Wright before beating goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson just after the hour mark.
The second came with 20 minutes to go, but Town held on to come away with another victory in the Professional Development League.
Town’s team:
Lloyd Allinson; Calum Woods (William Boyle, 60), Murray Wallace (Joe Wilkinson, 55), Joe Wright, Jordan Sinnott (c); Oscar Gobern, Sondre Tronstad, Matt Crooks; Harry Bunn, Cristian Lopez, Joe Lolley (Paul Mullin, 40)
Unused sub:
Sam Guthrie
