Page 8 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.34 2022-23

CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF MATCH
Watford 1 Nottingham Forest 0
A first half header from Poppy Wilson gave Watford a
1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest in the Play-Off
between the Champions of the Northern and Southern Premier Divisions at Stadium MK.
Once again, the play-off turned out to be a tight, closely fought match and with a place
in the Barclays Women’s Championship on offer for the winning side, it was no surprise that
this match was once more settled by the only goal of the game.
Watford therefore return to the second tier of the English game after having been
relegated in the cruellest of circumstances just a year earlier, and gained revenge for their
defeat in the League Cup Final to Forest in April. The game was also a fitting send off to
retiring Watford striker Helen Ward who, although an unused substitute on the day, finished
the campaign as her club’s leading scorer.
In front of 3,007 at the home of Milton Keynes Dons, Watford were the first to settle but
it was Forest who created the first chance, Jacqui Goldsmid saving at her near post from
Yasmin Mosby.
Watford took the lead in the seventeenth minute as a looping cross from Gemma
Davison picked out Wilson and, although she had to generate her own power in the header,
cleverly managed to steer the ball over Emily Batty and open the scoring.
Forest responded well to going behind and Goldsmid needed to deny Sophie Domingo
after she had exchanged passes with Mosby, whilst Rebecca Anderson was inches off target
with a free kick. Charlotte Steggles also went close but Watford held firm to take their lead into
the interval.
The pattern of the game continued after the break with Forest pressing forward and their
talented strikers looking sharp, whilst Watford defended stoutly and sought to hit on the
counter attack.
Charlotte Greengrass and Mosby both went close to an equaliser but Watford were also
fashioning chances of their own, with Annie Rossiter firing over following good work on the
right from Flo Fyfe, whilst Ellie Head did get the ball in the net but her effort was ruled out by
an offside flag.
Back came Forest with Amy West firing a shot across the face of goal and just wide but
they just couldn’t create the clear cut chance they craved. Forest threw players forward to try
and salvage the match and brought on strikers to increase the pressure but, despite a number
of nervy moments for them in the latter stages, the Watford defence, brilliantly marshalled by
captain Megan Chandler, stood strong and closed the game out for a hard earned win.
Jubilant celebrations from Watford greeted the final whistle and they will return to the
Championship after just a year away. Forest’s disappoinment was understandable but when
the dust settles, they can reflect on a marvellous campaign which saw them land two major
trophies.
Watford: Jacqui Goldsmid, Anne Meiwald, Annie Rossiter (sub Emily Wallace 90mins),
Bianca Baptiste (sub Flo Fyfe 64mins), Gemma Davison, Ellie Head, Andria Georgiou,
Megan Chandler, Poppy Wilson, Allison Palisch, Sophie McLean. Subs not used: Faye
Brough, Nicola Gibson, Helen Ward.
Nottingham Forest: Emily Batty, Lyndsey Harkin, Olivia Cook (sub Naomi Powell
89mins), Charlotte Steggles, Sophie Domingo (sub Gianna Mitchell 77mins), Yasmin Mosby
(sub Niamh Reynolds 77mins), Amy West, Arryana Daniels, Rebecca Anderson, Hayley
James, Charlotte Greengrass. Subs not used: Georgia Hewitt, Rosetta Taylor.
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