Town's U18 team started their league campaign with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at Playford Road on Saturday morning. Darryl Knights and Billy Clarke scored the Town goals in an entertaining game.

Town were missing young left-back Stuart Ainsley through injury. Ainsley strained his ankle ligaments in training and was forced to sit out.

The first real action of the match came on ten minutes. Blair Hammond laid the ball off Owen Garvan who shot just wide from 20 yards out.

On 31 minutes, U16 England international Darryl Knights ran across the Forest box and hit a left-footed shot just wide of Paddy Gamble's post.

A minute later, and Town almost had their first goal of the season. Town were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out. Owen Garvan chipped the ball into the far post where Liam Craig had made his run. Unfortunately for Town, the ball was headed away for a corner.

On 37 minutes, Blair Hammond was replaced by Lubomir Guentchev. Hammond had been on the end of a bad challenge a few minutes earlier, and had to limp off.

Three minutes later, Irish youngster Billy Clarke crossed the ball. Darryl Knights was at the back post and sent the ball back into the middle. Guentchev almost scored with his first touch after toe-poking at the goal, but defender Gavin Hurren cleared the ball of the line.

Two minutes later, and it was Liam Craig's turn to be frustrated by the Forest defence. The ball had come all the way to Craig from a cross and the Scottish youngster fired in a powerful low drive from 25 yards, which again was cleared off the line for a corner.

The second half had threatened to turn into a scrappy affair, until 68 minutes when Cathal Lordan's drive from 30 yards, smashed against the crossbar.

A minute later, and Town scored their first goal. The ball had come to Lordan who put Guentchev through. He should have scored, but instead waited for some support. He passed the ball to the on-rushing Darryl Knights who side-footed home from six yards.

Two minutes later, and Nottingham Forest made their first change. Sam Litchfield replaced Sam Mullarkey in attack.

With 15 minutes to go, good passing from Town and an eventual shot from Cathal Lordan almost doubled Town's lead.

But two minutes later, the Town youngsters did double their lead. Billy Clarke cut in from the right and hit a curling shot past Forest keeper Gamble.

On 79 minutes, Town made their second substitution with Scottish midfielder Fraser Beveridge replacing Ben Patten. Immediately after the substitution had been made, Guentchev was put through and finished well, only to be adjudged offside.

Then, Liam Craig made a brilliant goal-line clearance to prevent Jonathan Wilmet pulling a goal back for the visitors. Wilmet was just four yards out, but Craig made a great attempt to stop the ball crossing the line, and he succeeded.

Two minutes later, another Scottish youngster, Allan Storrie replaced goalscorer Darryl Knights.

Right on the stroke of full-time, Forest managed to grab a goal. Substitute Litchfield converted after a pull-back from winger Jon-Paul Pittman. But Town held on in front of a crowd of around 70 people.

Town: Shane Supple, Michael Synnott, James Krause, Owen Garvan, Chris Casement, Ben Patten (Fraser Beveridge 79), Cathal Lordan, Darryl Knights (Allan Storrie 82), Blair Hammond (Lubomir Guentchev 37), Billy Clarke and Liam Craig (c). Unused subs: Danny Haynes and Sammy Moore.

Forest: Paddy Gamble, Ricky Hanson, Martin Vickerton, Lewis McGugan, Gavin Hurren (c), Ryan Hanbury, Jonathan Wilmet, Robert Hughes, Sam Mullarkey (Sam Litchfield 71), Matt Glass and Jon-Paul Pittman. Unused subs: Ian Deakin (GK), Andrew Rigby, Justin Roberts and Paul Hamilton.

Thanks to James Ager for the report.

Photo: Action Images

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