Town’s U23s continued their excellent start to the season and climbed to the top of the Professional Development League Two South by beating Nottingham Forest 5-2 at Alfreton Town’s Impact Stadium.
Forest went ahead in the seventh minute via Aaron Smith but Gerard Nash’s side hit back on 20 when Shane McLoughlin converted a penalty after defender Chris Smith had been fouled.
Lewis Walters restored the home side’s lead in the 25th minute, then on 37 Town winger Danny Rowe limped off having been on the wrong end of a heavy tackle.
The Blues levelled via a penalty for the second time on the night 10 minutes into the second half, Ben Morris (pictured) netting his first U23s goal of the campaign from the spot.
Top of the league, 5-2 win & happy to get 2 goalsâš½ï¸#itfc– Ben Morris (@BenMorris99) September 19, 2017
The England U18 international headed Gerard Nash’s side into the lead for the first time with his second of the game and season in the 71st minute from sub Conor McKendry’s cross.
Australian striker Ben Folami made it 4-2 with his fifth U23s goal of the season with five minutes left on the clock, again from a McKendry cross, then midfielder James Blanchfield curled home Town’s fifth from Morris’s pass in the 88th minute.
Great 5-2 win against Nottingham Forrest, and good to go top of the league 🙌🻖 Conor McKendry (@mckendry_conor) September 19, 2017
Central defender Adam Webster played the first 63 minutes as he made his return to match action after his ankle injury.
What a win for the boys ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ #itfc– Luke Woolfenden (@lukewoolfenden) September 19, 2017
Town’s U23s have now won five of their first six fixtures, including the last four, and lead Coventry City by two points at the top of the table.
U23s: M Crowe, Woolfenden, C Smith, Webster (D Crowe 63), Webber, McLoughlin, Blanchfield, Nydam (Ndaba 63), Rowe (McKendry 37), Morris, Folami. Subs: Wright, Daniels.