Stoke City 2-3 Nottingham Forest
4/10/2020 – Community Drive – FAWNL NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE
gOALS – Hunt, Bohannan – Axten, Rayner (2)
After a night to forget away to Derby for Stoke City women they was to welcome Nottingham Forest to Community Drive for their second home game of the season but also the first game that fans could attend. I always like to mention how the COVID-19 affects the game and ground and it was smoothly run with one way systems and all the needed facility’s to have the game go ahead as safe as possible. Nottingham Forest were in form with winning the last 3 games and drawing the opening game. So a big test was ahead of Stoke City Women on a day for all weathers as the sun shone, the clouds gather.
The game kicked off as Rosie Axten took the first touch of the game. Stoke started off on the front foot causing early pressure putting Thursday behind them as the first attack was dealt with by Charlotte Greengrass. But it wasn’t in vain as on the 6th minute an expert ball from Ali Hall that perfect went into Abby Hunt’s stride as she struck the ball across the box giving Stoke the perfect start being 1-0 up after 6 minutes. Nottingham were trying to build through Bex Rayner but Stoke were defending with confidence at the back. Stoke were on top for most of the opening 20 minutes but couldn’t quite find the important second goal. Lizzie Steele and Beth Roberts were using the flanks well to try and push Forest on the back foot but some of the fantastic play just didn’t have the end touch on it or a Nottingham Forest defender did well to clear the ball. Ali Hall had a acrobatic chance but the ball was calmy collected by Aja Aguirre who always is hard to beat between the posts.Â
Daniella Kosinska had to be on alert even with the defence playing well as the clever and skillful Bex Rayner can create out of anywhere and was off her line to clear the ball and diving at the Forest attackers feet throughout. Ella Pemberton was caught in what looked like the face as she received treatment off the pitch, Nottingham Forest made real advantage of the break in play as on the 27th minute the dangerous Rosie Axten pulled Forest level. After a melee in the box which saw Georgia Hewitt, Daniella Kosinska and Rosie Axten all being involved in the scramble but as the ball broke free it was Rosie Axten that slammed the ball home to bring Nottingham Forest level on terms at 1-1. And with a blink of an eye it was 1-2 to the visitors as Bex Rayner drove at the defence and unleashed a shot low and hard that left Daniella Kosinska no chance in the Stoke goal. The game had turned in less than a minute with two Nottingham Forest goals. This really turned the game on it’s head not only with the score but it was Forest now in the ascendancy which saw the defence having to stand up and Daniella Kosinska coming out to catch and clear for Stoke under the Forest pressure, but as always the Polish Shot Stopper managed to keep out a third Forest goal which was cleared by Ali Hall’s header on the line as well. Georgia Hewitt was a driving force for Nottingham Forest up against Beth Roberts in one of the best battles of the game. Â
Stoke seemed to get back their mojo a little as Hollie Gibson was working on overload at the back to stop Forest and get Stoke in the opposition’s half. Nearly a sucker punch before the break as Nottingham Forest broke in behind the defence but Daniella Kosinska once again was quick off her line to get to the feet of Hayley James before she could get her shot off. The final effort of the half came through Stoke City though as some great work by Shannon Garner nearly got Amy Hughes in behind but as Aja Aguirre cleared it Nic Hudson tried a dipping effort from long range that was a near miss. The half time whistle went with Nottingham Forest leading 1-2 but all to play for in the second half as Stoke had played well but had been punished in a matter of moments with the two goals.
Stoke City came out the second half after making their first substitute of the game during the break as a debut for Ellie Bohannan for Stoke City as she replaced Nic Hudson. Nearly the worst possible start for Stoke City as once again Bex Rayner was causing problems as her cross was nearly turned in as it deflected just wide of the post off Sophie Tudor on the 48th minute. Ella Pemberton had a long range effort but couldn’t force Aja Aguirre into a save in the Forest goal. Stoke made their second change on the 56th minute as Amy Hughes was replaced by Meesha Dudley-Jones. Daniella Kosinska was called into action once again on the 59th as Bex Rayner once again became the creator as she slide in Mia Moncaster but Kosinska got down to her feet quickly to stop the attack. Rachel Brown replaced Georgia Hewitt on the 60th minute for Nottingham Forest. Both teams were working hard trying to get the important third goal as Meesha Dudley-Jones latched onto Abby Hunt’s ball but couldn’t beat the defender. Stoke’s third and final substitute was made on the 63rd minute as Kelsey Richardson came on for Ella Pemberton in the middle of the pitch.Â
Ali Hall was working hard as always on and off the ball and on the 70th minute tried an effort but Aja Aguirre claimed the ball with ease and kept the score at 1-2 still. Sydnie Naylor had the next attempt on goal but once again Daniella Kosinska was on hand to get down low and pull off the save. On the 76th minute Sophie Tudor was replaced by Annabel McKechine for Forest second change of the game. Nottingham Forest rattled the crossbar on the 76th minute when Sydnie Naylor’s made herself room on the corner and hit a curling effort but the ball cannoned off the upright. The game was starting to look like a 1-2 result until Kelsey Richardson hit a long range effort but Rachel Brown was in the way to block the effort. But it was Nottingham Forest who got the goal to make it 1-3 on the 88th minute almost putting the tie to bed. Who else but Bex Rayer with her second of the game, as she rounded Daniella Kosinska who couldn’t get the ball before she slotted it into the net. Nottingham Forest made their third and final change when #TeamKatie Katie Middleton came on to replaced Mia Moncaster. It didn’t take Katie Middleton long to be in the game as she hit an effort but it was blocked by the Stoke defence. As we entered injury time Stoke managed to put the pressure on Nottingham Forest and won a corner that saw Aja Aguirre get a hand to it but as it came out Ellie Bohannan on debut hit the ball into the back of the net making it 2-3. But it was too late as the final whistle went with Nottingham Forest taking all 3 points at Community Drive.Â
Not the result Stoke City would of wanted but a performance to build on against a very strong Nottingham Forest that remain unbeaten and equal top of the table. The next game for Stoke City see’s a trip to Coles Lane and an away day to Louis Sowe’s West Bromich Albion. Where Andy Cook’s Nottingham Forest host Loughborough Foxes at Eastwood CFC.Â
A great day out once again with some fantastic football getting to some two great teams battling it out on the pitch. Even with players like Aja Aguirre, Georgia Hewitt, Sophie Tudor, Katie Middleton always a joy to see Nottingham Forest play as well as being able to see Stoke City play. Must also say that had a very enjoyable visit to the Sea Lion Longton as well to see James Knowles after the game for a drink before heading home.
Stoke City WOmen
Nottingham Forest WOmen
