Nottingham Forest 8-0 Halifax FC (FA Women’s National League North) 06.10.24
Nottingham Forest Women have secured their sixth victory of the season after displaying a one-sided performance against Halifax at the City Ground.
Carly Davies made five changes to the starting eleven that secured the Reds a 1-0 win against Cheadle Town Stingers in the FA Cup, with Emily Batty, Lyndsey Harkin, Nat Johnson, Mel Johnson and Freya Thomas all returned to the starting line-up.
Both sides started with a strong forward force, but Forest quickly found a break in Halifax’s defence as Casey Howe crossed the ball into Mel Johnson. Johnson was unable to secure her footing before shooting, leading to the ball being tipped over the crossbar.
Forest claimed their first goal of the afternoon in the opening fifteen minutes, as a cross from Howe was received by Olding, who delivered a stunning strike into the top corner of the net, leaving the opposition’s keeper firmly rooted to the floor.
In quick succession, the hosts then had their second. Casey Howe was at the forefront of the action once again, as she claimed her first goal in the Red and White with a calm and composed strike into the corner of the net.
Nottingham Forest continued to drive forward, breaking down the low-block Halifax were upholding.
An increase in pressure from the Reds before the break saw Halifax start to make mistakes. A cross from Chandarana was received within the box by a Halifax defender, who guided the ball in past their keeper.
HALF TIME: Nottingham Forest 3-0 Halifax FC
Nottingham Forest started as they meant to go on in the second half, with Charlie Wellings giving Forest their fourth of the evening in the 52nd minute. After the keeper kept Chandarana’s initial attempt out of the danger zone, the ball fell to the feet of Wellings who was able to chip the ball over the keeper.
With 25 minutes left in the game, Carly Davies made her first set of substitutions, with Sophie Domingo, Kate Longhurst and Bridget Galloway joining the team on the pitch.
Substitute Sophie Domingo made an instant impact to the scoreline only minutes after entering the action, as she fired home a spectacular long-range strike, giving Forest a five-goal advantage.
Two minutes later and Millie Chandarana put on an impressive display of talent when undergoing a 1v1 challenge with the opposition’s goalkeeper. A low strike at the near post meant Forest were now six goals ahead – a gap that was ever-growing the visitors.
Sophie Domingo claimed her second of the afternoon in the 74th minute with a stunning half volley on the edge of the box.
With only fifteen minutes remaining, Carly Davies decided to introduce Katie Dungate and Jessica Hennessy to the action, with Hennessy making her first home appearance since joining the club in September.
Forest wrapped up the afternoon with one final goal from Bridget Galloway, who was on the receiving end of a cross from Amy Sims, tapping it into the bottom corner of the net.
FULL TIME: Nottingham Forest 8-0 Halifax FC
*Article provided by Abigail Murphy (Women’s Football Correspondent).
*Main image @NFFCWomen the Forest players celebrate during an 8-0 win.