Nottingham Forest LFC 2 : 0 Preston North End WFC
Match
FAWPL Northern Division 2015-2016
| Nottingham Forest LFC | 2 : | 0 |
Preston North End WFC
|
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-02-2016 14:00 | |||||
Forest Ladies through to the 4th Round Proper in SSE FA
Women’s FA CUP after beating Preston 2:0
Sunday 14 February 2016
Basford United FC, Mill Street Playing Fields, Greenwich Avenue, Basford, Nottingham NG6 0LD
It was Forest’s first competitive game in 4 weeks and Forest’s Head Coach Steve Stennett had clearly done some homework ahead of the game to prepare his players accordingly. Preston’s recent league form especially had notched the visitors 34 goals in 5 games but the opposition line up had two forced changes with Ella Schickhoff starting her first senior game for PNE and Kim Turner being brought in at centre back – replacing the absent Jenna Carroll and cup-tied Gemma Watson.
Forest, however, had a strong line up and notably with newly signed Lyndsey Cunningham slotting in well after some recent and cohesive training sessions for the whole squad.
Forest’s new signing Lyndsey Cunningham on the ball
Both teams traded possession in the opening minutes with the first chance falling to Forest as Meade broke the offside trap to with a one on one chance to which Preston’s keeper Dannielle Brown was quick to get down low to stop the shot.
Preston returned with a break down the wing to drive into the box for a shot butt Kinnerley was ably on hand to stop the shot. Cunningham quickly contributed with a perfect cross for Greenan to head but the header was just wide of the post.
Forest broke the deadlock on 23 minutes when Meade had driven forward to slot the ball through to Bell timed her run perfectly to beat the offside trap playing in McKechnie who tapped the ball in from close range. McKechnie’s 12th goal of the season set the tone for the remainder of the first half.
McKechnie celebrates with the assisting Andi Bell
Forest had been dominant overall for the first half with some cohesive play from all areas. Their pressure on the ball gave Preston no time. Forest interlinked well and were rewarded on 44 minutes as Elizabeta Ejupi added another goal for the home side. Ejupi’s effort on goal was just outside the penalty area and found its way past Brown as it bobbled over the North End goalkeeper, with a little help from an uneven surface.
Forest’s second goal scorer Elizabeta Ejupi in action
Half Time: Forest 2:0 Preston
It was no surprise as the game balanced out for the second half as Preston returned with extra vigour and Swarbrick was first to threaten by forcing a good diving save from Kinnerley early on.
Forest’s Greenan and Cameron close in on Preston
Preston began to pass the ball well and put the pressure on Forest looking to pull back a goal but Forests resolute defence in Cunningham, Kennaugh, Fugler and Cameron prevented Preston from having many clear cut chances.
Forest’s defence line up
With a goalless second half it was Nottingham Forest that sealed a place in the Fourth Round and a trip away to WSL 2 side Everton on 28th February.
Full-Time: Nottingham Forest LFC 2 - 0 Preston North End WFC
Head Coach Steve Stennett said after the game:
“A terrific performance from all the players today saw them overcome a very good Preston Team and take another giant step forward not only in the FA Cup but in a season where momentum and winning games breeds confidence.
We all now look forward to the challenge in the 4th round against a very well established Everton Team who play in the WSL 2 – this will undoubtedly be a tough test but a terrific opportunity for the players to enjoy and participate in.”
Smiles for Steve Stennett’s winning squad and staff after the game
Forest Line-Up: Kinnerley, Cunningham, Cameron, Griffin, Kennaugh, Fugler, McKechnie, Ejupi (White 85), Bell, Meade, Greenan
Subs: White, Betteridge, Copeland
Preston Line Up: Brown, Stanfield, Forshaw, Farrell, Turner, H. Forster, Walker, Young, Makin, Swarbrick, Schickhoff (Savage 71)
Subs: Riley
NFLFC Next Game: Sunday 21st February in the Nottinghamshire FA County Cup quarter final vs Clifton All Whites LFC, Green Ln, Nottingham NG11 9AZ - Kick off at 11am.
Photos: NFLFC, Ian Stevens and Sidney Whitman