Not for the first time in recent seasons, it was seven-up for Nottingham Forest, this time it was Carly Davies’ charges doing so to progress in the Women’s FA Cup, winning 7-0 at home to Sheffield FC.
It would be a game which saw a welcome return between the sticks for experienced shot-stopper, Aja Aguirre, there was a debut for defender Ella Haughey, and a first goal in Red for Alice Keitley, she making it 5-0 as the game headed into the final twenty.
Mind you, going into the break, nobody could have predicted the final score, the Reds only leading by one at the half as Louanne Worsey netted her first of the afternoon, just before the half hour; the visiting ‘keeper in fact saved Worsey’s first effort on goal, but she pounced quickest to crash home the rebound.
It wouldn’t take long for the floodgates to open upon the restart though, Sophie Domingo beating her marker and, firing a low cross into the box it somehow continued into the back of the net within minutes of the half kicking off.
Two minutes later and Forest were three to the good, and Worsey had her second of the afternoon, Domingo doing what she does best and picks apart the visiting defence, before squaring to Worsey to finish.
Three soon became four just after the hour had elapsed when Niamh Reynolds fired home her first of the season, before Keitley grabbed her first for Davies’ oft-free-scoring side; an initial effort from last season’s top-scorer, Charlotte Greengrass, was saved by the visiting ‘keeper, but the Reds again were quickest to the rebound with Keitley on-hand to score.
Greengrass wasn’t going to miss out on the goals, that’s for sure, and, as the game headed towards the closing minutes, the Forest striker got hers, following great lick-up between Mollie Green and debutant Ella Haughey on the left wing, the latter picking out Greengrass who was not going to miss.
Reynolds then doubled up in stoppage time, the midfielder letting fly from range to complete the scoring and put the Reds into the hat for the second round, where they’ll face Sporting Khalsa at home (26 November).
Next up for the Reds, it’s at the world-famous City Ground, when they welcome former Reds, Becky Langley and Andy Cook, of Newcastle United, tickets available to purchase online via here
Nottingham Forest – Aja Aguirre, Lyndsey Harkin, Sophie Domingo, Chloe Dixon, Niamh Reynolds, Louanne Worsey (Olivia Cook, 64), Mollie Green, Freya Thomas (Mai Moncaster, 76), Becky Anderson (Alice Keitley, 64), Charlotte Greengrass, Ella Haughey.
Matches were also played in the regional, Division One, of the East Midlands Regional Women’s Football League, Central, and North, on Sunday afternoon, with some good success for the Notts-based clubs.
In the Central Division, Neil Matthews’ Arnold Eagles continued their incredible start to the season and moved five clear at the top, ahead of a Nottingham Trent side who were also successful, when on the road in a local affair.
A fifth league win in a row, to register maximum points to date, was claimed in a 3-0 win away to Loughborough Foxes Vixens, and with just a dozen players available; Eagles shot-stopper, Ciara Button, kept the Notts side in the game with it still goalless.
Hannah Daniel afforded the Eagles the lead after fifteen minutes, she finishing off a great move for the only goal of the half; a frustrating second period though saw the Eagles fail to capitalise on opportunities thanks to the home ‘keeper.
The lead was eventually doubled with fifteen remaining when, who else but Natasha Leach, was on-hand to head home a cross from Demi-Leigh Crofts; the three points were wrapped up minutes later when Holly Gibson smashed home the decisive third.
Arnold Eagles – Ciara Button, Demi-Leigh Crofts, Hannah Daniel, Holly Gibson, Hannah Hughes, Natasha Leach, Ellie Parr, Fiona Plumb, Mollie Rowden (Jennifer Lorimer), Lydia Stewart, Chloe Stocks.
Elsewhere in the Central, Katie Lane notched the only goal as Notts County Development won 1-0 away to Sherwood, and Alice Rogers was on-hand with a brace for NTU in their 4-2 win away to West Bridgford Colts.
With two games in hand, SJR Worksop trail leaders Gainsborough Trinity (who won 2-1 at home to Retford) by three points, after another, comprehensive win at the weekend.
Away to Lincoln United Development, SJR hit six without reply for what was their fourth win in five outings thus far this campaign; three braces were scored as well, Emily Myatt, Emily Murphy, and Lilly Brown all at the double in the 6-0 away win.
Meanwhile, in the Nottinghamshire Girls & Ladies League Seniors One, there was four away wins registered; Gemma Hodgkinson scored twice as Teversal won 5-3 away to Keyworth United, Sophie Packer doubled up as Newark Town won 2-1 at Mansfield Town Development, Radcliffe Olympic won 3-1 Hucknall Town, and Arnold Eagles won 1-0 at NTU Pink.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @NFFCWomen Delight for Forest who were singing in the rain after beating Sheffield.
