WOMEN FALL TO DEFEAT AGAINST FOREST

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Nottingham Forest Women take all three points in tough encounter

2021-08-22T17:41:12.872Z

WOMEN FALL TO DEFEAT AGAINST FOREST

Nottingham Forest Women take all three points in tough encounter

2021-08-22T17:41:12.872Z

Nottingham Forest Women take all three points in tough encounter

Disappointment for Matt Bee's side who took the lead in the opening stages

Burnley FC Women's first home game in their new home, Accrington Stanley's Wham stadium, ended in defeat this afternoon against a strong Nottingham Forest side.

Both sides started brightly as the sun shone in the FA Women's National League fixture.

Burnley took the lead in the 19th minute when, following some good build up play down the left-hand side, Dominque Cooper managed to tap in at the far post.

WOMEN FALL TO DEFEAT AGAINST FOREST - Image 1

WOMEN FALL TO DEFEAT AGAINST FOREST - Image 2

The joy was short lived however when a quick Forest attack saw Freya Thomas equalise to bring the visitors level just one minute later.

Forest continued to apply pressure, with the Burnley backline working hard to clear any danger.

A 39th minute strike from Nottingham Forest's Jade Arber stunned the stadium as it rattled in off the woodwork, taking the home side by surprise and leaving the score 1-2 heading in half-time.

WOMEN PREVIEW: AFC FYLDE VS BURNLEY - Image 2

With it all to play for in the second-half the Clarets made a substitution as an injured Captain Lauren Bracewell was replaced by new signing Lucy Farrell.

The Clarets came out fighting and enjoyed plenty of possession. A Nicola Worthington free kick landed on the roof of the net, almost drawing the home side level.

Positive play from Burnley's midfield saw the ball being placed into good areas but Nottingham Forest cleared any danger and pressed the home side throughout.

With time pressing on, in the 89th minute a strike from goal scorer Arber was saved well by Farrell but Mai Moncaster was quick with the follow up to make it three for the visitors.

A minute later with the final whistle drawing close Forest's Rosie Axten made it four in a further blow to the home side.

WOMEN FALL TO DEFEAT AGAINST FOREST - Image 4

Burnley FC Women Manager Matt Bee said: "We lacked a ruthless edge in the key moments when it mattered. There was no lack of effort and desire from the group, but we need to be a bit smarter in some aspects.

"The manner of the goals we conceded is a frustration, as they are sloppy goals by our standards, even the second which is a good finish, but it came from rather sloppy individual defending.

"However, we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. I’m ready to fight and ready to prepare the players for another big game on Wednesday."

Burnley travel to AFC Fylde Women on Wednesday night in a 7:45pm KO at Kellamergh Park.

Fylde currently sit top of the divison following a 3-2 win over Stoke City Women this afternoon.

Burnley: Bracewell (Farrell 45), Dykes, Fleck, Wilson, Hope, Worthington, Ravening, Willis, Cooper, Hamer, Priestley

Subs: Bickett, Greenhalgh, Molinari, Walters

Nottingham Forest: Batty, Harkin, Brown, Cook, Arber, West (Axten 63), Bramford (Steggles 88), O'Neill, Thomas (Moncaster 76), Anderson, Greengrass (Hewitt 63)

Subs: Aguirre.