Bromby's side defeated by Forest
- Town’s Under-17s defeated at home to Forest
- Darnell Mintus on target for the Young Terriers
- Bromby’s side includes five trialists
Leigh Bromby’s U17 side were defeated 3-1 on Thursday afternoon against Nottingham Forest, with substitute Darnell Mintus scoring Town’s only goal.
With Town set to feature in an U19 tournament in Germany at the weekend, there was a chance for new trialists to impress in the absence of some of the regulars at this age group. Zakariya Muhammed and Luke Massingham appeared for the first time along with previously featured trialists Giosue Bellagambi, Taylor Annakin and Kian Harratt.
Bromby’s side lined up with the trialists featuring throughout the formation of the team. Bellagambi started in goal, Massingham partnered Tom Bamford at centre back, Annakin featured at right back and Harratt played as the lone striker.
The opening stages of the game saw neither side get a hold of the ball, but after the ten-minute mark Forest settled and began to press high on Town. Bellagambi was already having a very impressive game, making two very good saves and distributing the ball very well.
Forest were getting closer to find the opening goal. A powerful effort cannoned off the bar in the 18th minute and four minutes later the visitors found the net. Bellagambi made a fine initial stop but Forest’s Ethan Dekel was the first to react and tapped home.
Town set about looking for a way back into the game. Captain Ben Jackson went on a surging run upfield but couldn’t find anyone with his cross.
As the half hour mark ticked over, Leigh Bromby was forced into his first change of the day. Kian Harratt pulled up and Darnell Mintus replaced him up front. It was almost an instant impact for Mintus as five minutes after his introduction, he levelled the scores. The Town player’s pressure caused a mixup between the Forest keeper and defender. Mintus received the ball and calmly slotted it into the net on the 35th minute.
After the goal, Mintus was continuing to look a threat on the counter as Town looked to play out of Forests’ high press.
The half time whistle blew with the scores level and Mintus’ introduction proving to be the biggest factor of Town’s first half. The break also saw another injury-forced change for Town with Remi Thompson replacing Seth Meeson.
The game restarted with a huge penalty shout for Town. Mintus was taken down by the last man but the referee waved away Town’s protests. At the other end, substitute Remi Thompson denied Forest from retaking the lead with a headed clearance off the line from a corner.
Just before the hour mark, goalscorer Darnell Mintus pulled up and after some attention from the physio, was deemed unable to continue and was replaced by Tom Bell.
Forest were pushing to retake the lead but Bellagambi was proving to be the thorn in their side. He produced a string of great reaction saves to add to his growing catalogue. Just after the hour mark, trialist Luke Massingham was struggling with cramp and with three subs already used, had to play on.
It was then the turn of Forest to have a penalty appeal turned down. This time the referee produced a yellow card for simulation as he deemed the Forest player to have dived. However, ten minutes after the initial appeal, the referee did point to the spot. Taylor Annakin brought the Forest player down by the byline and the referee gave the spot-kick.
As he did against Millwall on Saturday, Belllagambi dived the right way but couldn’t reach the effort into the bottom right corner. The spot kick by Brennan Johnson put Forest into the lead for the second time of the afternoon.
Town made an effort to get back into the game but were really struggling to break through Forest’s organised press. The game was drawing towards a conclusion but there was just time for Forest to double their advantage. A low shot from Keith Asare bounced under the diving Bellagambi and into the net to wrap up the 3-1 win.
Town Starting Line-up (4-2-3-1):
Giosue Bellagambi; Ben Jackson, Luke Massingham, Tom Bamford, Taylor Annakin; Seth Meeson (Remi Thompson 46’), Dahomey Raymond; Zakariya Muhammed, Josh Austerfield, Ben Mills; Kian Harratt (Darnell Mintus 30’, Tom Bell 54’)
Unused subs:
Harrison Davison-Hale
TEAM NEWS with @ViessmannUK: here is the #htafc U17 side that will face @NFFC at @htafcCanalside this afternoon. The game is behind-closed-doors and will kick-off at noon. (CL) pic.twitter.com/eROaR7QhGf
— HTAFC Academy (@htafcacademy) March 29, 2018
