Nottingham Forest picked up their third consecutive win on Wednesday evening as they beat The University of Nottingham Women’s Football Club 3-2 in a post-season friendly.
Goals from Alice Higginbottom and Sophia Bonser saw The Reds head into the break with a two-goal lead but the hosts hit back twice in the second-half to draw level. Fortunately, Charlotte Greengrass was on hand to secure the win for Forest as she headed home 17 minutes from time.
Forest had several opportunities to open the scoring inside the game’s first 10 minutes as The Reds came close to opening the scoring on three seperate occassions. Rosie Axten saw her free-kick from 30 yards out fly just wide of the goal before Greengrass and Higginbottom both saw their efforts from inside the area saved by the ‘keeper moments later.
But The Reds didn’t have to wait long too take the lead as youngster Higginbottom netted her first goal in the Garibaldi on the 17th minute. A weak pass from home side’s ‘keeper found Higginbottom inside the final third and the midfielder was able to take a touch before calmly lobbing the ‘keeper from 30 yards out.
Liv Cook came agonisingly close to doubling the team’s lead six minutes later after she struck a fantastic first-time shot from the edge of the box but the ball hit the inside of the post, rolled along the face of goal and was eventually cleared.
Forest did make it 2-0 four minutes from the break as Bonser tapped the ball over the line from close-range. Hayley James saw her strong cross parried by the ‘keeper but the ball fell kindly to Bonser who made no mistake from the edge of the six-yard box.
The Reds were made to rue their missed chances in the second-half as The University of Nottingham scored on both the 53rd and 72nd minute to level-up the scoring. Both goals came after Forest had failed to clear two corner-kicks from the home side and the hosts were there to net their two goals from deep inside the box.
But Forest were not on the back foot for long as they regained their lead only a minute after the hosts had drawn level. Lyndsey Harkin whipped a great free-kick into the area and Greengrass rose the highest at the back post to nod the ball past the ‘keeper to see The Reds through to victory.
Forest: Jones, Walters (Moncaster 78’), Harkin (Tudor 78’), Cook, Steggles (Hewitt 54’), James (Dexter 78’), Bonser (Middleton 78’), Higginbottom, Wilson (McKechnie 63’), Axten, Greengrass (Fisher 78’)
Sub not used: Aguirre
Goals: Higginbottom 17’, Bonser 41’ & Greengrass 73’