HUDDERSFIELD Town Under 21s chalked up a fourth successive win with a 2-0 triumph in their Professional Development League 2 game at Nottingham Forest.
It was also a fourth clean sheet running for Steve Eyre’s side, who triumphed through Dale Hopson and an own goal.
Given the international break, coach Eyre selected a strong side for City Ground, where Lee Novak, Scott Arfield and Chris Atkinson were all selected.
It took a while for the game to get going, with Forest finally putting together a concerted spell of pressure, without really threatening.
Playing on the right of a front three, Godwin Abadaki almost broke the home backline with a driving run, but was halted by Kieran Fenton.
Ian Bennett dealt comfortably with Jack Blake’s 20th-minute free-kick before Fenton cut inside two Town defenders, but failed to produce a testing shot.
Marshalled by Daniel Ayala and Jamaal Lascelles, the Forest defence were coping easily with Town’s attacks, while Morgan Ferrier was a threat going forward.
But Eyre’s men seized the advantage just before half-time, and after Atkinson hit the side-netting from an acute angle, Hopson netted after an Arfield shot was blocked.
Buoyed by their breakthrough, Town started the second half busily and were almost two ahead within a minute when Novak tested the home keeper.
The Geordie striker was involved when the second goal arrived soon after, cutely controlling to play in Atkinson.
The midfielder sent in a teasing cross which was deflected into the net by the unfortunate Lawrence Gorman.
Town continued to dominate as the hour mark approached, and Jordan Sinnott, playing at right-back rather than in midfield, came close with a left-foot shot.
Arfield then showed a great turn of pace to drive into the box and after his effort was parried, Abadaki bundled home the rebound, but was ruled offside.
Bennett made his first notable save after 78 minutes, showing good reaction to thwart Ferrier as he twisted to shoot.
Town are back in action away to Sheffield Wednesday on Monday.
Town: Ian Bennett; Tom Smith, William Boyle, Tom Clarke, Jordan Sinnott; Chris Atkinson, Scott Arfield, Dale Hopson (Israel Johnson, 84mins); Matt Crooks, Lee Novak (Joe Wilkinson, 90mins), Godwin Abadaki (Max Leonard, 79mins). Sub not used: Lloyd Allinson.
