Nottingham Forest reserves extended their unbeaten run to seven matches in the Totesport.com Central League this season with a comfortable victory over Sheffield Wednesday at The City Ground.
Goals on either side of half-time from Ryan Whitehurst and Aaron Mitchell sank Wednesday as John Pemberton's side ended a hugely successful year at reserve level on another high note.
Whitehurst set them on their way with a crisp finish on the stroke of half-time, firing under the body of Wednesday goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell after he had been sent clear by skipper Mark Byrne.
James Reid was the architect of Forest's second goal midway through the second half as he sent over a pin-point cross from the right for Mitchell to power home a close range header.
The victory was no more than an inexperienced Forest side deserved against equally young opposition.
They had tested Wednesday before Whitehurst's opener, in particular in the 34th minute when Hamza Bencherif thought he had broken the deadlock.
The Algerian Under 20 international was convinced his shot from close range had crossed the line before the 'keeper made a save after his initial header had struck the crossbar.
Forest had also gone close through James Dunne, while Reid also forced O'Donnell into action.
O'Donnell thwarted Reid again early in the second half, palming his shot on to the base of a post.
Adam Newbold should have made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute but stabbed his shot from 10 yards out straight at O'Donnell after another exquisite centre from Reid.
Wednesday struggled to fashion clear-cut opportunities, although they did go close in the eighth minute when Rocky Lekaj hit an upright.
Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith - the most experienced player on the pitch - was a virtual spectator for much of the game but was called into action late-on to deny Dick Stirrup.
Forest: Smith, Tait, Heath, Byrne, Mitchell, Bencherif, Darnet (Rodney 59), Dunne (Hook 76), Newbold (Hopkinson 78), Whitehurst, Reid. Subs not used: Richardson, McCashin.
Scorers: Whitehurst (44 mins), Mitchell (64 mins)
Wednesday: O'Donnell, L. Kakaj, Wragg, Cottingham, Wood, Hadfield (Wilde 57), Connelly (Kirkland 65), Stirrup, Modest, Hall (Palmer 23), R. Lekaj. Subs not used: Pratt, Meehan.
