Match ends, Nottingham Forest U18 2, Crystal Palace U18 1.
90'+6'
Yellow Card
Samuels(14)
Shakir Samuels (Nottingham Forest U18) is shown the yellow card.
90'
Full time
Despite a flurry of golden chances, Samuels wonder strike from just inside Palace's half proves to be the difference. It means a narrow defeat for the U18s as they begin their quest to defend the Premier League Cup. Alonso’s side will look to return to winning ways when they return to Premier League South action on Saturday against Aston Villa at the Academy – a game you can watch live on Palace TV+!
89'
SO CLOSE IN THE DYING EMBERS
Moses’ effort from the right side of the area is parried, before Christmas reacts quickest to the rebound but sees his follow-up superbly denied...
82'
Forest take the lead.
That’s come from nowhere, but you have to applaud the quick thinking and finish. Samuels spots Benetton off his line and, from just inside the Palace half, brilliantly whips the ball over and around the ‘keeper and into the far corner.
82'
Nottingham Forest U18 Goal
2 - 1
Goal!
14Shakir
Samuels
Goal! Nottingham Forest U18 2, Crystal Palace U18 1. Shakir Samuels (Nottingham Forest U18) right footed shot from more than 35 yards to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Brodie Jones following a fast break.
81'
Substitution
10Jamar
Leeoff
18Kayden
Moseson
79'
Substitution
3Jaydon
Mavesooff
17Jaxon
Tomakon
78'
Substitution
9Donte
Martinoff
16Toby
Williamson
67'
Substitution
4Harvey
Andrewsoff
15Okello
Bartleyon
67'
Substitution
7Riko
Robinsonoff
18Azae
Bonnickon
62'
Debuts for two U16s!
Dylan Monk and Lamidi make way for debutants Jack Stacey and Ja’Shaun Christmas, who are apart of our U16 set up - well done, lads!
61'
Substitution
7Oladotun
Lamidioff
14Jack
Staceyon
61'
Substitution
5Dylan
Monkoff
17Ja'Shuan
Christmason
60'
Substitution
3Nathanael
James Kalembooff
12Dominic
Wrighton
60'
Substitution
2Daniel
Gardneroff
16Sonny
Nolanon
59'
Substitution
10Eleazar
Lokoteoff
14Shakir
Samuelson
58'
Nothing to separate either side...
Second half has been evenly matched so far, with both sides probing but neither able to create a clear-cut opening. Forest’s Kanye Bradshaw came closest, firing just wide after drifting inside.
58'
Yellow Card
Greaves(2)
Ajean-Ray Greaves (Crystal Palace U18) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Greaves latches onto Benetton’s goal kick and races in behind, beating the ‘keeper to the ball, but his heavy touch strikes the post of the vacant net before Forest scramble it clear.
36'
Fasida levels for the Young Eagles!
Just what we deserve! Lamidi delivers a brilliant right-flank set piece, before pinball ensues and Fasida is alive to prod home!
36'
Crystal Palace U18 Goal!
1 - 1
Goal!
8Jacob
Fasida
Goal! Nottingham Forest U18 1, Crystal Palace U18 1. Jacob Fasida (Crystal Palace U18) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Oladotun Lamidi following a set piece situation.
25'
Palace in the ascendancy!
Forest lead, but Palace have had the better chances since the goal. Dots’ low cross flashed across goal with Martin almost turning home, before more trickery from Lamidi saw his low effort flash just wide of the far corner!
11'
SO CLOSE!
Dots Lamidi flashes a dangerous delivery across the face of goal, but Donte Martin can't turn home into the empty net - so so close!
9'
Forest take the lead.
Harvey Andrews slips under pressure from AJ Greaves and, despite there seemingly being no contact, the referee points to the spot. Rico Robinson steps up and sends Benetton the wrong way. Very harsh on the Young Eagles.
9'
Nottingham Forest U18 Goal
1 - 0
Goal!
7Riko
Robinson
Goal! Nottingham Forest U18 1, Crystal Palace U18 0. Riko Robinson (Nottingham Forest U18) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
1'
We're underway!
A strong sliding challenge from Raihaan Anderson sets the tone in the opening minute as Palace’s U18 PL Cup title defence gets underway!
WATCH LIVE NOW!
Don't forget, you can watch this afternoon's game LIVE on Palace TV+! Tune in and follow the Young Eagles as they get their U18 Premier League Cup campaign underway!
U18 PL CUP TITLE DEFENCE...
Palace lifted the U18 Premier League Cup for the first time in the club’s history last season, beating Manchester United 6-5 on penalties in a dramatic Final in front of 4,000 supporters at Selhurst Park. Alonso and his side will be hoping to make the perfect start to their title defence today...
HOW WE LINE UP...
Javier Alonso makes four changes to the side that suffered a 4-1 defeat away to Southampton at the weekend. Nat Kalembo and Remi Shittu come into the back three alongside Dylan Monk, replacing Kwasi Baah and Isaac Ogunrinde. Dots Lamidi starts at left wing-back, while Raihaan Anderson moves into one of the two No.10 roles alongside Jamar Lee. Kayden Moses and Jayden McDonald drop out.
IT'S MATCHDAY!
Welcome to the Nigel Doughty Academy, where Crystal Palace’s U18s begin the defence of their U18 Premier League Cup crown against Nottingham Forest! The Young Eagles have been drawn in Group C, with Forest away followed by home ties against Leeds United and Aston Villa. And with only the group winners progressing to the knockout stages, every point will count...
