Doncaster Rovers Belles 0-4 Nottingham Forest Women (Friendly) 28.04.21
Two goals in each half was the perfect, and quick response to get Sunday’s defeat in the North-East out of their system as Andy Cook’s charges travelled to South Yorkshire and won 4-0 at Doncaster Rovers Belles.
Victory was their fourth in five post-season outings this month, registering sixteen goals and conceding six; of the scorers at Doncaster, Charlotte Greengrass, has, alongside Katie Middleton and Charlotte Steggles, now got three goals since the return to action.
A dominant opening quarter was rewarded in just the seventh minute, Rosie Axten collecting the ball at distance and firing a looping shot that beat the home ‘keeper, Ellie Sharpe, all ends, dropping under the crossbar and into the net; the goal was her second in the friendlies adding to the two (plus a spot-kick in the shoot-out) she notched against Aston Villa in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup exit.
After the opener, and with both sides settling into a rhythm, Forest added a second just after the half-hour mark when Rachel Brown finished off a surging run from Sophie Reynolds, smashing the ball home from close range for an interval lead.
The second period was less than ten minutes old when the killer third was added, Greengrass, who’d not long since come on as a second-half substitute, with her third goal of the post-season, firing home one of her specials from distance, the low shot nestling kindly onto the bottom right corner.
There was barely a chance to catch breath when, just five minutes later, Forest surged again and added a fourth, former Belles player, Liv Cook, meeting a free-kick from Axten and nodding the ball past the advancing ‘keeper.
Both sides had chances, the hosts seeing chances from Jess Andrew, Debbie Barry and Sophie Brown, seeing chances wasted, Forest though maintaining their ascendancy and refusing to give an inch, earning themselves a welcome clean-sheet into the bargain.
Afterwards, Forest Head Coach, Andy Cook said: “After three months away, playing six games in April, and a further six to be played in May, is brilliant for everyone.
“Over the last two we’ve been able to give debuts to several players, and minutes for the whole quad.
“I could not ask for more from all the players and staff.”
Deserving of a special mention was the sixteen-year-old, debutant goalkeeper, Lucy Jones, captain Lyndsey Harkin saying after the game that: “It was a good run-out and performance against Doncaster Belles.
“Superb from the youngsters, Lucy Jones and Alice (Higginbottom) in their first starts for the club.
“Both have bright futures.”
Jones plays for Birmingham City RTC and is currently training with the Reds in order to gain first-team experience with the possibility of a dual-registration on the horizon; she will no doubt have enjoyed not only making her first team debut, but keeping a clean sheet as well.
Forest: Lucy Jones, Grace Walters, Lyndsey Harkin, Olivia Cook (Sophie Tudor 77), Charlotte Steggles (Matthews 70), Hayley James (Mai Moncaster 77), Sophia Bonser, Alice Higginbottom (Laura Dexter 70), Niamh Reynolds (Katie Middleton 62), Rosie Axten, Rachel Brown (Charlotte Greengrass 46).
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @NFFCWomen the reds in blue were in form against Doncaster Rovers.
