Thursday 20 February 2014

Forest Ladies 0-5 Arsenal Ladies

Venue: Hucknall Rolls Leisure, Watnall Road, Hucknall, Notts.

Scorers: Jordan Nobbs (pen 19), 85, Caroline Weir (32, 36), Bianca Bragg (87)


The first thing to say is well done to the ground staff at Hucknall Rolls - splendid effort to get the pitch back to something like normal after the weekend games had left it like a ploughed field.

This was a friendly game between Forest Ladies and Arsenal Ladies - but it was like a carnival ! Several hundred people turned out to see the the home team take on one of the country's best teams, and even though the Reds were outclassed throughout, it seemed everyone had a good time. The barbecue appeared to be doing a roaring trade, and the bar was rammed! 

It was strange to see so many at a Forest game - on Sunday, only 46 were on hand to see the F.A. Cup game against Gillingham Ladies.  

Arsenal went ahead on 19, a penalty converted by JORDAN NOBBS after a defender was adjudged to have handled in the area. 

The second goal came in the 32nd minute and it was a real belter, CAROLINE WEIR drilling home superbly from 6 yards after she connected perfectly with a cross in from the right. WEIR was on target again just four minutes later, side-footing home from close range. H-T 0-3

Forest made more of a game of it after the break, and were unlucky when Amber Hughes had an effort well saved by the Gunners' keeper.  The loose ball was smashed goalwards by Kirsty Allen but she could only look on in disbelief  as the ball crashed off the bar and flew safe. 

JORDAN NOBBS hit the fourth Arsenal goal with 5 to play, her 25 yard screamer giving Forest's substitute keeper Georgina Merritt keeper no chance.

Nobbs looked the best player on the pitch throughout, what a classy midfielder this young lady is. 

Arsenal added their fifth on 87, BIANCA BRAGG dancing her way into the six-yard box before slotting neatly home to round off a fine display by the Arsenal Ladies team. F-T 0-5

Admission: £2.50
Programme: £1
Attendance: no idea, but several hundred!!!