Reds Through To Round Two

Nottingham Forest Women 4-0 Lichfield City Ladies (Women’s FA Cup Round One) 14.11.21

Andy Cook’s Reds have a chance to avenge last season’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup exit when their reward for Sunday’s comfortable, 4-0 win at home to Lichfield City Ladies, is a trip to the Black Country, and Wolverhampton Wanderers Women.

Dominating from the off with Rachel Brown firing wide inside the opening couple of minutes, connecting to a cross from the ever-industrious Becky Anderson, it was to be one of many chances befalling the Garibaldi in the opening quarter, they unable to capitalise in the early stages.

Within those opening exchanges, Anderson would be seen to supply chances for Charlotte Greengrass, whilst captain Lyndsey Harkin, a force going forward throughout, also combined well with Greengrass.

Harkin herself would be seen to have an opportunity on the half-hour, the visiting ‘keeper saving well as Forest increase their dominance, something which finally paid dividends six minutes before the break.

Hayley James and Niamh Reynolds were seen to be linking up this time, the ball being played to Mai Moncaster, who, the more the game progressed, the more she’d come into it.

Moncaster, on the right-wing, cuts the ball into the box for Naomi Powell, the Forest striker calmly slotting home the opener.

The second period continued in the same vein as the first, starting in the first minute of the half with Steggles being unable to connect to a cross from James.

Having took more than half-an-hour to open the scoring, Forest cut Lichfield at will during the second period and, immediately after the previous chance had gone begging, the lead was doubled.

Again, Moncaster was causing havoc on the flank and her cross was met well by Rosie Axten at the front post, and she slotted past the visiting ‘keeper from a tight angle and, within five minutes, two became three with Moncaster herself getting her name on the scoresheet, Brown turning provider, and the Forest star finishing comfortably.

Moncaster would again have an opportunity as the game headed towards its final quarter, the visiting ‘keeper proving a match this time around however, minutes later, the killer fourth goal was registered, this time Anderson was the recipient, with her first competitive goal for the club.

Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, Anderson would be seen to finish with a lovely lob, from distance, into the back of the net, to wrap up the scoring.

Strong throughout, and scorer of one of Forest’s goals, Mai Moncaster said afterwards: “I’m buzzing we came away with the win.

“I thought we played some excellent football and our hard work in training is starting to pay off.

“It is great to be able to help the team get the win, getting two goals, and an assist, is a great feeling.”

Reward for victory, a return to the CKW Stadium, on 28 November, in the Second Round, the scene of last season’s exit, for Forest, on penalties, following a 2-2 draw; next up for the Reds however, it’s Loughborough Lightning, at home, on Thursday 18 November.

Meanwhile, Forest’s Reserves were on cup duty in the FAWNL Reserves Midlands Division.

Presently topping the table with six wins and two draws from their eight outings, they saw off visitors Lincoln City Development 5-0 with Summa Betts notching a hat-trick, she being joined on the scoresheet by Jemima Footitt, and Arryana Daniels.

Summa Betts, who scored three times in the Reserves’ cup win, said after their victory: “I thought we played well as a team, kept composed when out of possession and dominant in possession going forward.

“Very happy with my hat-trick today, always nice to be on the scoresheet.”

Forest: Emily Batty, Lyndsey Harkin, Rachel Brown, Charlotte Steggles, Mai Moncaster, Rosie Axten (Georgia Hewitt 74) Niamh Reynolds, Becky Anderson (Sophie Tudor 74), Hayley James (Sophia Bonser 74), Charlotte Greengrass, Naomi Powell.