The 2s had a strong line up across the park apart from between the posts. Without the usual cat-like services of Perkins, Goulstone or Black, they had to settle for stand-in keepers protected by a resolute back 4. Within the first few minutes, Forest broke through the defence and, as the ball skidded off the striker’s shin, it crept through at the near post to send Forest 1 up. This was against the run of play and it wasn’t long before the LOBs roared back.

The Hatfield brothers linked up well on the left time and again. Posing problems. Asking questions. Alex Hinton and Charlie Martin continued to press up-front and had a couple of half-chances which rattled the Forest defence. The inevitable came half way through the first half. Luke Hatfield broke from left back and dribbled diagonally across the pitch to cross for Hinton to volley a goal on the back post. The keeper got a hand to it, but was powerless to stop it. The 2s were looking better and better. Jordan and Bailey continued to show individual pieces of skill that allowed them to run rings around the opposition. The two centre backs, Dalby-Welsh and Gurney scared the life out of the entire Forest team. Dalby-Welsh continued his disciplinary prowess by getting a booking for unsporting behaviour. On the plus side, the oppo bloke was soon substituted before Dalby finished him off in the second half.

At half time there was a change in personnel in goal with Hinton doing the admirable thing and swapping with Van Pelt. And a change in formation thanks to the tactical nous of Nick Evans on the touchline. Against the run of play Forest fluked another goal which Hinton carefully watched into the back of the net. But if anything it fired the LOBs up more. Sustained pressure on the Forest goal created chance after chance. Eventually Charlie Martin put in a superb deep cross on to Gurney’s forehead at the back post, which was then knocked back to Jordan on the other post to head in. The teams were level.

The deserved break-through came in the final 15 mins. Another Charlie Martin corner was half cleared to the most dangerous man on the pitch. Luke Hatfield hit a first-time screamer into the right apex of the goal. You won’t see a cleaner strike. Forest were beaten. The LOBs were up for the first time in the game. It was left to the defence to block any possible fight-back. Bransby ensuring that the teams wouldn’t go in to extra time.

MOM Luke Hatfield: an assist and a wonder strike to win the game.