Nottingham Forest’s Under-21 side took to Finch Farm yesterday to face an Everton side that featured Youssef Chermiti and Armando Broja.
The Nottingham Forest academy is very highly thought of, having seen the likes of Brennan Johnson and Ryan Yates come through it.
In fact, Forest have even set up a special academy program to identify special talents who can be put through a more specific regime in the hope of finding the next Yates and Johnson.
Zach Abbott is one name that will already be known around Nottingham after being given some minutes in the Carabao Cup for the Reds.
And there appears to be another youngster making waves in the youth setup, as a 19-year-old bagged a hat-trick for the Under-21s on Friday.
Joe Gardner scores hat-trick for Nottingham Forest Under-21s against Everton
Joe Gardner has five goals and two assists to his name in all competitions this season.
The 19-year-old operates as a striker and has just one first team appearances to his name, which came in the FA Cup against Bristol City last season.
Joe Gardner of Nottingham Forest looks on during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match between Wigan Athletic and Nottingham Forest U21 at Brick C...
Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
The youngster put in his best performance of the season yet against an Everton Under-21 side that featured Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti as they look to regain some fitness.
MORE FOREST STORIES
Gardner bagged a hat-trick and looked very lively up top.
Everton reporter Joe Thomas had this to say.
“It was a young Forest striker, Joe Gardner, who has taken the plaudits. He grabbed a hat-trick today and was a handful. Two neat finishes from balls played across the box and then a really cute finish for his hat-trick.”
Could we see Joe Gardner if there’s an injury?
Nottingham Forest only have Taiwo Awoniyi and Chris Wood in their ranks in the striker department, so one injury could spell trouble.
Gardner is relatively raw and only has that one first team game to his name, so there may be concerns about rushing him into Premier League action.
However, Nuno clearly sees something in the youngster having given him his first-team debut.
Related Posts