Competition: F.A. Women's Premier League Northern Division
Scorers:
Forest - Nastasha Meade (45), Andrea Bell (56, 73)
Preston - Katie Anderton (26, 65), Keeleigh Savage (35), Melissa Ball (66)
May 11th 2014 - 113th and final game of the 2013-2014 season, which has been far from a classic one! Hopefully the added incentive of supporting a charity next term will re-kindle our passion for the game that has been sadly lacking this season.
Forest were looking strong favourites to claim the runners up spot behind champions Sheffield Ladies, but a solitary point from their final six games could see the Reds slip to fifth if other results go against them.
Torrential rain overnight and throughout the morning must have put this game in doubt, but ten minutes before kick off the rain ceased and the game kicked off in bright sunshine.
Forest: Kinnerley, McKechnie, Hollingsworth, Greaves, Kennaugh, Titterton, Bell, Sullivan, Howard, Hughes, Meade. Subs- Abbott, Freestone, Voce.
Preston: Brown, Stanfield, Taberner, Lupton, Forshaw, Walker, Foster, Anderton, Watson, Ball, Savage. Subs- Rawcliffe, Hutton.
The rain was back though ten minutes into the first half, but the pitch remained perfectly playable. Forest made all the early running, but failed to create any solid chances. They went behind on 26 when Kelly Kennaugh and Vanessa Kinnerley left the ball for each other, allowing KATIE ANDERTON time to nip in and prod home the loose ball from close range.
10 minutes later, the home team went further behind, KEELEIGH SAVAGE with a simple side-foot finish after Gemma Watson had stepped over Beth Stanfield's cross from the right.
Forest were back in the game just before the break, NATASHA MEADE curling a left side corner straight in at the far stick. H-T 1-2
It was all square on 56, ANDI BELL stabbing past Danielle Brown after a defensive slip gifted her the ball just inside the box.
Preston restored the lead with 65 played, KATIE ANDERTON emulating Natasha Meade by curing a corner from the left straight in at the far post!
Seconds later, the home defence lost concentration and Danielle Brown's clearance was allowed to reach MELISSA BALL who calmly steered the ball past Kinnerley.
Forest tried desperately to get back into the game, and when Amber Hughes crossed from the right on 73, ANDI BELL raced into the six yard box and steered the ball home at the near post.
Kinnerley made a cracking stop at the feet of Ball with 10 to play, keeping the Reds in the game. Despite incessant late Forest pressure, Preston defended in numbers and managed to see the final few minutes out and take all three points back to Lancashire. F-T 3-4
There was some consolation for the Forest Ladies - their reserves won the F.A. Women's Premier League North division title after a resounding 6-1 win away at Newcastle Town.
