The Nottingham Forest B-Team claimed their first Premier League International Cup victory last night, with 15-year-old Zayn Blake getting on for his debut.
Forest needed to dig deep to defeat Nice last night with the game being played at the City Ground. Ben Hammond pounced to score the game’s only goal with three minutes of normal time remaining.
The Reds are playing in the competition for the very first time this season. It’s another opportunity that the young team have been given with the club now boasting category one academy status.
Blake makes debut for Nottingham Forest B-Team
This was a quality result by Forest and the youngster took it in their stride in terms of playing at the City Ground. The game looked to be edging towards stalemate but Hammond’s goal gave the Reds the three points.
It was the decision to give Blake some minutes from the bench that is perhaps most intriguing. At just 15-years-old, it might have seemed like a token gesture to give him a place among the substitutes.
Forest don’t typically do that type of stuff though and if youngsters are good enough, they’re old enough! Blake came on for his B-Team debut and showcased what he can bring to the attack in the future.
Blake will hope for City Ground future
Age is no barrier at #NFFC and player challenge is always prioritised.
Congratulations to Zyan Blake on making his debut for the B Team at the age of 15 👏 pic.twitter.com/r70dWJk9Oh
— Nottingham Forest Academy (@NFFCAcademy) October 25, 2023
At just 15, Blake will have been buzzing to get an opportunity to grace the City Ground turf. He’s played just 55 minutes of action in the under-18s this season and clearly, he’s highly-rated at the club.
Blake typically operates as a centre-forward. Last night, however, he was introduced as a forward in a front three and operated out wide during his time on the pitch.
He didn’t look fazed either. He tried to get on the ball and when he did get chances to showcase his worth, he wasn’t afraid to prove at the Nice defenders.
The future looks bright for a number of players on the City Ground conveyor belt of talent. After last night, it will be intriguing to see what comes next for Blake.
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