Nottingham Forest progressed to the Third Round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup at the weekend, following a 3-2 home win over Division One Midlands side, Sporting Khalsa; their reward being a home tie against Boldmere St. Michaels.
Following a handful of changes to the Reds’ normal, league starting eleven, Aja Aguirre stepping between the sticks, and Natalie Johnson taking the captains band as Emily Batty and Lyndsey Harkin moved to the bench, Grange Park could easily have expected another, high-scoring game.
Three goals to good in the run-up to the interval, Carly Davies’ side conceded late in the first, then saw Becky Anderson hitting the crossbar with a penalty on the hour, visiting Khalsa netting late in each half to keep themselves in with a shout.
The opening goal for the hosts arrived midway through the first period as Mai Moncaster turned and slipped past her marker to fire home past the visiting ‘keeper, Natalie Hall; with both sides creating chances it would be the hosts who notched again when Freya Thomas created space out wide, crossing for winger Sophie Domingo to fire home and create breathing space.
Two quickly became three when, just two minutes later, the Red wave seeing Domingo turn provider, squaring for Louanne Worsey to slot past Hall close range; the visitors though pulled a goal back shortly before the interval when Stubbs reduced the deficit.
Both sides continued making chances in the second period, Forest missing the best of them when the spot-kick crashed off the bar and, five minutes later, Davies was forced to make a change when Charlotte Greengrass, on at half-time, was replaced by Alice Keitley with twenty-five remaining.
Continuing to created chances themselves, the visitors reduced the deficit even further with ten minutes left on the clock as Joyce notched their second, the Reds holding on for a 3-2 win, and a place in the hat for the third round.
Next up for the Reds, a trip to Stoke City on 3 December, followed by the FA Cup Third Round match with Boldmere a week later, then the winter break, returning in January with a home game against West Bromwich Albion, on 7 January.
Nottingham Forest – Aja Aguirre, Natalie Johnson (Charlotte Greengrass, 46; Alice Keitley, 65), Olivia Cook, Sophie Domingo, Mai Moncaster, Niamh Reynolds, Louanne Worsey (Chloe Dixon, 46), Mollie Green, Freya Thomas, Becky Anderson, Ella Haughey
Adam Dunleavy’s Notts County were involved in a bottom-of-the-table clash with Leek Town in the FAWNL Division One Midlands, the two sides battling to a 1-1 draw with Nicola Russell netting for County in a game which was goalless at the break.
County have recently strengthened this past week also, bringing in two University of Nottingham players in midfielder Thea Clearkin, and striker Lauren Wilshaw, the latter having played for Stoke City.
Arnold Eagles Flyers booked their place in the semi-finals of this seasons’ Nottinghamshire FA County Cup when they won 2-1 away to Mansfield Town Development, the Flyers joining their parent side in the final four.
The hosts led by one at the interval, their striker curling an effort in to the visiting corner; however, a tight contest swung the way of the visitors as the game headed into the final twenty, Dani Keetley heading home the equaliser.
Both sides created chances aplenty, but it was the Flyers who’d grab the decisive, third goal of the game; a headed clearance dropped at Fern Williams who chested to control the ball and volleyed the ball back into the net to soar into the semis.
The only other games played involving Notts clubs arrived in the Nottinghamshire Girls & Ladies League, with the top three all in action, and first hosting third in what was a 2-2 draw between Newark Town and Nottingham Trent Pink, Connie Forman with a brace for the hosts to earn a valuable point.
Sandwiched between them are Radcliffe Olympic, two behind Newark and two ahead of NTU, sides beneath the leaders all having games in hand; Radcliffe were hosting bottom club Teversal, who are struggling this season and have now conceded more than forty goals in their six league outings to date.
Away to Radcliffe would see them ship another eight, the hosts claiming an 8-0 win with Taylor Johnson firing a four-goal salvo, Demi Draycott adding a brace, whilst Sommer Button and Ruby Randall also netted to complete the rout.
The draw has also been made for the next round of the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League cup and plate competitions, the following for that of Notts clubs (in bold), with five in action in each competition –
EMWRFL LEAGUE CUP (to be played 10 December)
West Bridgford Colts vs. New Bradwell St Peters; Thrapston Town vs, SJR Worksop; Loughborough Foxes Vixens vs, Basford United; Arnold Eagles vs. Skegness Town; Grimsby Town vs. Mansfield Town.
EMWRFL LEAGUE PLATE (to be played 10 December)
Sherwood vs. Retford; Leicester City vs. Sandiacre Town; Grimsby Borough vs. Nottingham Trent University; Notts County Development vs. Rotherham United.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @NFFCWomen action from Forest’s 3-2 win over Sporting Khalsa.
