Coventry City

Coventry City Under-21s were brave in the face of defeat but ultimately lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest Under-21s at Sixfields.

In a tight game that revolved around maintaining possession, chances were few and far between.

Ten minutes before the half time whistle, some neat link up play between Ben Maund and Ivor Lawton saw the ball break to Louis Garner on the edge of the box, who fired just over. 

Five minutes before the break, George Thomas turned his defender on the edge of the area, but flashed his shot just wide of Ross Durrant’s goal.

Both defences were on top at the half time whistle, with captain Ryan Haynes going closest before the break, sliding a great ball into Louis Garner, who was just offside.

City came out strong for the second half, and almost made an instant impact.

Thomas' cross was fumbled by Forest keeper Durrant but Garner couldn't force the loose ball home.

Despite the early second-half pressure, it was Forest who took the lead. 

A well-worked corner routine saw a fantastic save from Lee Burge to deny Stephen Mclaughlin, but Ryan Sellars was there to turn home the rebound in the six-yard box in the 48th minute.

The goal was a setback to the Sky Blues but they kept forcing chances. In the 54th minute, an in-swinging corner by Lewis Rankin found George Thomas at the back post, but he headed into the side netting. 

Ten minutes later, a thunderbolt from Ben Maund came within inches of an equalizing goal. From the right-hand side, he fired on the half-volley from distance, but the ball smashed the post and rebounded into play.

Going into the last 15 minutes, City stepped up their search for a goal. Thomas ran down the right and squared the ball perfectly to the substitute James Maddison but the midfielder shot wide.

With eight minutes to go, Forest almost grabbed an unlikely second but Jack Blake's free-kick curled over from 25 yards.

Despite continued pressure from City, they couldn't find a goal and undeservedly came away empty handed.