Match reportLewis Koumas' goal gives Liverpool U18s win over Nottm Forest

The striker grabbed his ninth goal of the season in the ninth minute of the U18 Premier League North contest at the Kirkby Academy.

Reds goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek then made a trio of important saves in the second half to clinch the set of three points for Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's side.

The first opportunity of the game in fact fell to the visitors with just three minutes on the clock, though Joe Gardner fired just wide from close range.

That warning sparked Liverpool into life as they proceeded to take the lead. James McConnell won a big tackle in a central area before the ball made its way to Trent Kone-Doherty out on the right wing.

Kone-Doherty's eventual shot was palmed out by Forest stopper Aaron Bott – but Koumas was in position to convert the rebound from inside the penalty area.

The rest of the first half was a scrappy affair in blustery conditions, with little attacking play produced from both sides.

There was another let-off for the Reds shortly after the interval, as Detlef Esapa Osong dragged a finish wide when in a threatening position.

Forest kept the pressure on and Mrozek was called into action twice in quick succession – his second intervention a full-stretch save down low to keep Jack Nadin's whip from finding the bottom corner.

Bridge-Wilkinson's charges had a pair of chances themselves in the second period, substitute Ranel Young going closest to grabbing a second in minute 80 when his effort from Terence Miles' delivery was kept out by the 'keeper.

Four minutes before the end of the 90, Mrozek again ensured the points would stay on Merseyside. The Pole initially saved well from Connor Brown but then quickly got up off the ground to stop the rebound from spinning over the goalline.

Liverpool U18s: Mrozek, Miles, Gyimah (Giblin, 78), Pinnington, Hayes-Green, Laffey (Pilling, 59), Doak, McConnell, Morrison (Roberts, 67), Kone-Doherty (Young, 67), Koumas.

Unused substitute: Hewitson.