Nottingham Forest LFC 2 : 2 Preston North End WFC
Match
FAWPL Northern Division 2015-2016
| Nottingham Forest LFC | 2 : | 2 |
Preston North End WFC
|
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27-03-2016 14:00 | |||||
Forest Ladies draw with League Leaders
Sunday 27th March v Preston North End WFC
Basford United FC, Mill Street Playing Fields, Greenwich Avenue, Basford, Nottingham, NG6 0LD
After bowing out of their league cup journey the week before, having lost to Tottenham by one goal, Forest Ladies found themselves playing their first league game of 2016 on Sunday, 27th March.
Forest Ladies welcomed league leaders Preston North End Women to Nottingham knowing this would be one of 9 remaining league games to play to season end. Last seasons points tally of 23 had been surpassed to accumalate 29 going into Sunday's game and Head Coach Steve Stennett was passionate for his players to accumulate further.
Forest were given a wakeup call however, as Preston were noteably the stronger side from the start applying pressure to Forest defences. Forest's keeper Vanessa Kinnerley was kepy busy as Preston surged forward in numbers. Kinnerley was finally beaten at the near post after a driven shot from Natasha Flint went underneath Kinnerley's attempt to save on 16-minutes.
Forest's Millie Fugler under pressure
Forest finally rallied and signs of a battling game were on the cards after some great interplay from Forest's Andi Bell enabled a pass through to Megan Howard who struck the sweetest of volleys to equalise in style on 30-minutes.
Forest's celebrations were quickly muted however as Preston were gifted a free kick just aside of the half way line. The resulting delivery found the head of Charlotte Farrell who leapt high to finish from close range on 38-minutes.
Forest came out a more determined side for the second half and ensued with chances for both teams. Forest's captain, Kelly Kennaugh, being the central war horse as an aerial battle was fueled with swirling winds. Forest began to strengthen in possession but could not find the final ball through to a hardworking Bell making intelligent runs to split the Preston defense.
Howard has been a middle anchor for the home side with some beautiful first touches to slow down the play and pass to a fellow red shirt. But with the wind still playing a part it was Natasha Meade who was able to draw level as she delivered a free kick from the left side that Preston failed to deal with and Forest were level once again.
Forest celebrate Howard's goal
Minutes later Meade again delivered a near inch perfect free kick that bounced off the crossbar from long range.
Forest's Kennaugh eyes the ball in swirling winds
Having come on as substitute for Forest, Jemma White had a chance that screamed just over the bar after Forest applied the greater pressure. Forest looked the more likely to snatch victory in the last minutes as Kennaugh jumped high to head into the top corner but the attempt was saved in spectacular style by Preston's keeper.
McKechnie drives forward for Forest
Final Result: Nottingham Forest LFC 2 - 2 Preston North End WFC
Forest Head Coach Steve Stennett said after the game: "After some success in the cup, none more so that reaching the County Cup final, we were finally back in action for the league against an in form Preston side. Although we didn't have the best first half performance the players have produced a good second half. We improved to play as a team - confident, composed and assured which put Preston on the back foot. I think we fully deserver the draw and with a little more luck could have actually won the game."
Preston North End WFC manager Luke Swindlehurst said: "We've taken the lead twice in the game and credit to Forest because they've had to rally a couple of times. We just needed to kill the game off but we've not managed to do it. We've got to be happy with at least a point but I would have preferred three."
Forest Line-Up: Kinnerley, Copeland, Fugler, Cameron, Kennaugh (c), McKechnie, Ejupi, McIntosh, Bell, Howard, Meade
Subs: Betteridge, Kemp, White, Richardson
Forest's next game is at home against the visiting Loughborough Foxes on Sunday 3rd April at Basford United FC, Mill Street Playing Fields, Greenwich Avenue, Basford, Nottingham, NG6 0LD - 1.30pm KO. Entry £3 Adults - Under 16's go Free. Match Programme £1.50