WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 BURNLEY (AET)

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Spirited Clarets exit Adobe Women’s FA Cup

2025-01-08T22:51:03.862Z

WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 BURNLEY (AET)

Spirited Clarets exit Adobe Women’s FA Cup

2025-01-08T22:51:03.862Z

Spirited Clarets exit Adobe Women’s FA Cup

Charlie Wellings’ extra-time strike condemned Burnley to defeat against Nottingham Forest in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup third round on Wednesday night.

The Reds striker scored the only goal of the match with 99 minutes on the clock to cruelly knock the Clarets out of the competition after a valiant display.

There were five changes to the XI that started the team’s last outing before Christmas against Stoke City, with Kirstie Levell returning in goal.

A new look midfield pairing saw Rhema Lord-Mears and Amelia Hazard come together, with the former wearing the captain’s armband.

Further forwards Aimee Kelly, who had six goals to her name in the competition before kick-off, started to the left of striker Claudia Walker.

WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 BURNLEY (AET) - Image 1

Both sides looked to attack from the off, with Levell reacting superbly to save Wellings’ seventh-minute effort although the striker was later flagged offside.

Walker found herself in the same position soon after, working Forest ‘keeper Emily Batty but again being unable to beat the offside trap.

In an end-to-end game both sides were forced to defend resolutely, with Burnley’s Palmer reading the play well to produce a last-ditch intervention on several occasions.

Two chances, one at either end, then threatened to shape the nature of the mangers’ team talks shortly before the half-time break.

Wellings was first to take aim but her powerful effort was claimed cleanly by Levell, before Kelly slid through Walker but her one-on-one effort was saved by the legs of Batty.

Forest came out of the traps quickly as Freya Thomas and Mel Thompson both tested Levell before the hour, but Burnley’s number 28 stood firm.

Head Coach Rebecca Sawiuk looked to her bench for the first time in the 59th minute, with Bella Reidford replacing Hazard.

Soon after came arguably Burnley’s best chance of the 90 as Walker slid the ball through to Logan, but her effort was saved by the onrushing Batty.

As Forest started to build a head of steam Sawiuk made a double switch, introducing top scorer Laura Elford for Lord-Mears and replacing Kelly with Anna Grey.

WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 BURNLEY (AET) - Image 2

Reanna Blades later replaced Walker and Forest thought they had won it within the 90, only to be denied by the offside flag once again after Wellings slotted home.

Extra time started evenly and the Clarets’ next roll of the dice saw Charley Docherty replace Emma Siddall at right-back, but it was the hosts who scored the decisive goal.

After an initial save by Levell, the ball was cut back from the byline for Wellings to finish smartly into the bottom left corner on the half volley.

Sawiuk’s players never gave up and continued to push in search of an equaliser that Tilly Wilkes nearly found directly from a free-kick, but Forest’s defence held on for the win.

The Reds will go on to play Newcastle United in the next round this weekend, while Burnley will prepare for a trip to AFC Fylde in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup on Sunday 19th January.

Burnley: Levell, Siddall (Docherty 97), Marshall, Logan, Walker (Blades 81), Palmer, Lord-Mears (Elford 69), Hazard (Reidford 59), Hartley, Wilkes, Kelly (Grey 69)

Unused Substitutes: McAloon, Richards, Wildgoose, Chadwick

Nottingham Forest: Batty, Harkin, Longhurst (Hennessy 108), Sims (N. Johnson 63), M.Johnson, Wellings, Olding, Green, Thomas, Chandrana (Manders 94), Dungate (Galloway 83)

Unused Substitutes: Ferguson, Bedeau, J.Jones, G.Jones

Goals: Wellings 99’