Nottingham Forest 2-2 Hull City
25/10/2020 – Eastwood CFC – FAWNL NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE
gOALS – McKechine, Axten – Smith, Beech
Game Day 7 in the Northern Premier League saw Nottingham Forest Host Hull City at Eastwood. A day that had been picked out for Hospitality but with the COVID restrictions was postponed but it was great to see that Lyle Taylor still turned up and watched the game. On form and past experience of seeing Hull City it was in our minds that this would be a game that Nottingham Forest would mostly likely walk away winners. But The Tigresses came to play.Â
The game got underway 15 minutes late but after a short wait it was time for kick off. It was nottingham forest that got the first attack in as Rosie Axten looked to add to her great start to the season but her attempt was deflected wide of the goal by Jo Symington. Hull showed their wasn’t there to make up the numbers as they kept Aja Aguirre on her toes. Georgia Hewitt nearly got on the score sheet as she got through one on one with the keeper after a ball from rosie axten but he effort rolled just wide of the goal. But the Hull City goalkeeper, Abigail Wallace was to become a real thorn in Forest’s side as she pulled off her first save from Rosie axten. The game seemed to calm down as Nottingham Forest were on top but Hull City were remaining defiant at the back.Â
But it was Hull City that nearly opened the scoring when an effort from Emily Smith cannoned off the crossbar on the 25th minute. Abigail Wallace was called into action as Hayley James hit a low driven shot towards the goal. And also thwarted Rosie Axten from getting in behind moments later. Hull were forced into a change on the 33rd minute when Faith Martin replaced Jo Symington. But once again as Nottingham Forest broke it was Abigail Wallace there to make sure the score remained 0-0. Hull City nearly took the lead on the 37th minute when Ellice Jackman’s effort was cleared before it could hit the back of the net of the corner. Just as it looked like a 0-0 at half time both teams attempted to score, first with Hull City on the 41st minute. When Rebecca Beech hit an effort after Liberty Bott played her in but the first time effort ended up wide of Aja Aguirre’s goal. But it would be Nottingham Forest that would have the final effort of the half, when who else but Abigail Wallace would be there to make sure that the teams would go in level. Bex Rayner as always the driving force on the ball got into a position and unleashed a thunderbolt but with Abigail Wallace at full stretched she pushed it onto the woodwork as it shuck the uprights. The score stayed as it started with the teams at a deadlock at 0-0.
The teams came out for the second half with all to play for in the game as the scores remained as they had started. It was Hull City who struck first as Emily Smith unleashed an incredible effort once again that struck the crossbar but this time she was there to make sure her rebound went in to open the scoring on the 47th minute. Hull City were 0-1 up but it wasn’t 0-1 for long. A couple of minutes later it was Hull City enjoying a 0-2 lead when Rebecca Beech hit a long range effort at the Forest goal and Aja Aguirre couldn’t save it in the Forest goal as Hull City continued to put the pressure on. Nottingham Forest made a double substitution on the 58th minute when Katie Middleton and Annabel McKechine came on for Sophie Tudor and Mia Moncaster. Forest were trying to make something happen but everytime they managed to create something Abigail Wallace was there to stop it over and over again. It was Nottingham Forest turn to hit the woodwork on the 64th minute as Bex Rayner’s free kick floated towards the goal before hitting the crossbar.
Hull City made a second change on the 66th minute when Rebecca Beech made way for Rachael Ackroyd. The 68th minute once again Abigail Wallace was called into action as she looked like she didn’t want to lose her clean sheet as Annabel McKechine worked her way into the box and hit the shot but Wallace saved with her legs. Nottingham Forest were throwing everything at Hull City to find a way back into the game with 15 minutes left to go. Katie Middleton had an effort and Abigail Wallace saved once again from Rosie Axten. Sydnie Naylor hit an effort at the goal but it went just wide. Hull City made a final change on the 82nd minute when Katie Thompson was replaced by Aailyah Allen. Forest made a final change on the 87th minute as well to try get back into the game as Charlotte Steggles was replaced by Niamh Reynolds.Â
On the 88th minute Nottingham Forest were given a lifeline when Annabel McKechine slammed the ball home from close range to make it 1-2 with only a few minutes plus injury time remaining. Hull City were having to finish the game off with only 10 players as Suey Smith was unable to continue and had made all 3 changes. As time ticked on it would be one final twist in the tale as Nottingham Forest were awarded a penalty in the 95th minute. Niamh Reynolds the late substitute had been brought down ti give Nottingham Forest the penalty and who else but Rosie Axten steped up to slam the ball home to make it 2-2 and an incredible comeback for Nottingham Forest as the final whistle went.
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It’s always a pleasure to see Nottingham Forest play with players such as Sophie Tudor, Georgia Hewitt, Katie Middleton, Charlotte Greengrass, Aja Aguirre and many more. But it was Hull City that were the surprise package on the day they were unlucky not to hold on. Abigail Wallace and Emily Smith were fantastic for The Tigresses. The manager was a breath of fresh air on the sidelines, a truly top guy that came and had a chat with us after the game. Nottingham Forest showed that they are never truly beaten as they had a never say die attitude.Â
Nottingham Forest WOmen
Hull City Ladies
Photos On Flickr via the link on the photo below
