Forest Ladies secured a meeting against Radcliffe Olympic Ladies in the soon to be announced Final of the Nottinghamshire FA County Women’s Cup after a comfortable victory over up and coming Mansfield Town Ladies...
The game started off with some good passing football from both sides. The hosts had an early opportunity but Jemma Douglas could only head Emma Day’s free-kick wide. Forest’s momentum was stalled on 7 minutes after Ejupi was carried off after a late tackle with Jemma White replacing.
With only 9 minutes played Forest took the lead, Annabel McKechnie was able to finish after an intricate passing move, which started from Forest’s keeper. Ten minutes later Forest’s veteran forward, Andi Bell finished a chance after Natasha Mead had floated the ball over the Mansfield defence to Bell who finished with her 21st goal of the season. Just before the break, Forest finished the half with another goal after Meade was able to pick out the run of McKechnie, who calmly slotted it past the Mansfield goalkeeper.
Six minutes into the second half McKechnie was able to get her hat trick and Forest’s fourth. Mansfield's clearance fell to the player 30 yards out and her strike dipped over Coyle's head and into the net.
Mansfield continued to both receive and apply pressure as they battled Forest’s posessional style of play and nearly gave the supporters something to cheer when Day's corner was headed just wide of the post.
Forest took another injury blow with the loss of Charlie Griffin as she was felled after another late tackle. With Forest down to ten, they still managed to increase their lead once again on 88 minutes after Rebecca Kemp won the ball to run half the length of the pitch before slotting through to Moriah McIntosh, who smashed the ball home in the bottom left inside netting.
The home side were able to score a consolation after a miscommunication between Forest’s defender Fugler and keeper Kinnerley. Mansfield’s Marie Wayne was able to maximise after playing a one-two with Androulla Kokkinou before firing in to draw applause from the home crowd.
Forest Head Coach Steve Stennett said after the game: “A confident and professional performance by a group of players that looked assured and composed. Winning football matches is always a boost but winning and putting in a good performance is even better and that's exactly what the players did today to put NFLFC into the County Cup
Mansfield Town Manager Lewis Saxby said: “I’m proud of my players. We came up against a team pushing to win a league two steps above. We weren’t expected to get anything today so it was a luxury game for us. We passed it well and kept shape for long stages and the girls did everyone proud.”
Full-Time: Mansfield Town Ladies FC 1:5 Nottingham Forest Ladies FC
Forest’s next game is at home against Preston North End WFC on Sunday 27 March.
Basford United FC, Mill Street Playing Fields, Greenwich Avenue, Basford, Nottingham, NG6 0LD - 1:30pm Kick off.
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