A Charlie Webster goal gave us a deserved lead just after half-time as a well-worked corner resulted in him firing a deflected shot which looped over the keeper.

We had multiple chances to kill the game. Malik Mothersille and Jude Soonsup-Bell had the pick of the bunch as we searched for a second.

However, with four minutes to go, the game took a dramatic turn as against the run of play Forest scored their first through Dale Taylor.

Detlef Esapa-Osong, who has scored a number of the home side’s goals in this year’s competition, then finished well after a scramble in the box to put the hosts ahead. There was still time for him to finish off the game by winning and scoring a penalty to put an end to our Youth Cup hopes this season.

Team news

From the previous round in the competition, Ed Brand made a few changes to his side as Alfie Gilchrist, Jude Soonsup-Bell and Jimi Tauriainen all came in.

Harvey Vale, who picked up a knock against Liverpool in the PL2 game against Liverpool on Saturday, was not able to make the squad for this one.

Cagey and nervous

It was a positive start from our young Blues as the opening 10 minutes of the game saw us create two half-chances. For a split second Lewis Hall and Mothersille seemed to have opportunities to test the Forest goal, but good defending prevented them from doing so.

The home side showed their pressing intent and fashioned the first chance of the game as Jack Nadin curled a right-footed effort just wide of the post.

Besides that, this was not a half to be remembered as both sides struggled to string together long periods of possession. It was clear that nerves were playing a factor in this semi-final with both sides looking to make history for different reasons.

The most notable moment of the half was the unfortunate injury to Forest no.10 Nadin, who had to be stretchered off.

Fast start

Our young Blues started the second period with a greater intensity. Soonsup-Bell broke clear on the right flank but failed to beat the first man with his cross. Webster had an effort which did not trouble the keeper, but we were playing at a better tempo.

After a decent start to the half by us it was Forest who almost opened the scoring as striker Esapa-Osong’s shot cannoned off the crossbar.

In response, good work down the left allowed Webster to drive down the flank. But for an excellent block, we could have taken the lead.

Controlled and dominant

With the hour mark approaching, we were in the ascendancy, controlling the possession with a spirited home side seemingly beginning to tire. A wicked delivery from Tauriainen dropped kindly to captain Gilchrist who volleyed excellently but keeper Aaron Bolt made a great stop to deny the defender.

It was looking increasingly likely that our goal was coming from a set-piece as the pressure was mounting and the deliveries were getting closer to creating the goal.

Just after the hour mark, the goal came as a Webster played a one-two from a corner with Soonsup-Bell, he took an excellent touch which beat the onrushing defender and his strike which was deflected looped over Bolt as the deadlock was broken.

After scoring a penalty in the last round against Liverpool, this was Webster’s third of the competition.

Failing to take chances

We came close to doubling our lead as Mothersille was played in brilliantly by Stutter, but the young striker took a fraction too long to shoot and Bolt rushed out to make a good stop. Another Tauriainen delivery found Soonsup-Bell this time at the near post, but his header fell narrowly wide.

It looked as if we would see the game out comfortably but good pressure from Esapa-Osong saw him take control of the ball and lay it off to Taylor who slotted home.

Downward spiral

With so much control and a number of chances to kill off the game the closing moments of the game were dominated by Forest, and they grabbed a second in the first minute of added time. A couple of ricochets in the box fell kindly to Esapa-Osong who side-footed into the net, albeit with the aid of a deflection off Gilchrist.

It went from bad to worse as Esapa-Osong jinked his way into the box and was fouled by Brodie Hughes. Forest were awarded the penalty, and the big striker picked up the ball and smashed it down the centre of the goal to give the home side their third and send us out of the competition.

It is a tough loss to take considering the chances our young Blues had to be out of reach, but focus will now turn to the Under-18 Premier League Cup final where the chance for silverware is still present for Ed Brand’s boys.

Chelsea (3-4-3): Prince Adegoke; Brodie Hughes, Alfie Gilchrist (c), Dylan Williams; Silko Thomas, Jimi Tauriainen (Tudor Mendel-Idowu 90+1), Charlie Webster, Lewis Hall; Malik Mothersille (Derrick Abu 73), Ronnie Stutter (Leo Castledine 84), Jude Soonsup-Bell.

Unused subs: Ted Curd, Zain Silcott-Duberry, Billy Gee, Luke Badley-Morgan.Scorer: Charlie Webster 61.

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Aaron Bolt; Zach Abbott, Kyle McAdam, Ben Hammond, Pharrell Johnson (Justin Hanks 77), Jamie McDonnell (c), Josh Powell, Sam Collins, Detlef Esapa-Osong, Jack Nadin (Jack Perkins 44), Dale Taylor.

Unused subs: Alex Akers, Ben Perry, Jack Thompson, Aaron Korpal, Joe Garnder.Scorers: Dale Taylor 86; Detlef Esapa-Osong 90+1, 90+3 (p).