Under 16 Girls County Shield Final-Sunday March 22nd
Nottingham Forest Ladies 5 v 0 Arnold Town Ladies
This final was characterised by a dominant Forest performance in which they enjoyed significant possession
throughout the game. However a combination of some sloppy finishing and indecisive passing in the final third
of the pitch and some titanic defending by the whole of the Arnold team kept the scoreline respectable.
The game began as it was to continue with Forest attacking down both flanks. In the 5thminute Zoe Meyrick
from the left flank had a good shot blocked by Georgia Evans in the Arnold goal and the rebound was tapped in
by Julia Tamasy. The tone had been set and wave after wave of attacks from Forest were being repelled by the
Arnold back four who were defending in depth with Amy Clifford at centre back standing out. Arnold tried to
build through Jessica Long attacking the Forest left side and Chrystal Smiley harassing the Forest central
defenders but Nelium Wilson in the Forest goal was not tested. It was the lively Zoe Meyrick who increased
Forest’s lead after 20 minutes when she latched onto an excellent pass inside the Arnold full back and fired a
fine shot low into the right hand corner to give Forest a two goal advantage. The game now settled into a
pattern of Forest attacks being repelled by the resolute Arnold defence who in turn created the odd chance at
the other end through Chrystal Smiley but without seriously troubling the Forest keeper. Arnold were under so
much pressure that they were unable build through their midfield and the ball kept coming straight back at
their defence. Chances fell to numerous Forest attackers. Olivia Hudson, Hannah Daniel, Ellie Roberts and
Helena Morris all had good chances to score after good work from Zoe Meyrick but shot wide or straight at the
Arnold goalkeeper. Julia Tamasay created her own chance beating two players down the right side just before
half time but she could not get past the ever present Amy Clifford at the heart of the Arnold defence. It was a
“backs to the wall” performance and Arnold could be well pleased with a 0-2 scoreline at half time. Nottingham
Forest however, whilst dominating possession, would not have been happy with their profligacy in front of
goal. The cushion of a two goal lead did however allow manager Steve Johnson to play all his squad in rotation
and try players in a variety of positions.
The second half continued as the first with Forest dominating possession and creating numerous chances
through Olivia, Jess, Ellie, Seren and Julia. Arnold created several chances of their own through the ever
present Chrystal who had a good free kick attempt from 35 metres which was well saved by Nelium in the
Forest goal. Kayleigh Downes immediately responded for Forest with a surging run down the left flank,
followed by a shot from the edge of the box from Seren Morris. Jess Munn was now playing in midfield and
seeing much more of the ball. A run into the right hand corner and a good cross to the far post signalled
Forest’s intention to increase their lead. Passing was improving from the first half display and Arnold were now
conceding more corner kicks as a result of being pushed further back towards their own goal. Consecutive
corners in the 65th minute almost resulted in Jess Munn scoring but she fired wide. Shortly after Seren Morris
picked up the ball in midfield drove at the Arnold defence, sidestepping a challenge and firing into the top
corner to extend Forest’s lead. It had taken 30 minutes since half time to breach a resilient Arnold defence.
The pressure remained with Ellie Roberts attacking down both flanks and Zoe Meyrick harrying Arnold players
to win the ball back in key areas. A good passing move involving Ellie, Zoe and Elizabeth Harris unfortunately
ran out of play. Not to be outdone, Arnold mounted an attack with good passing between Jessica Long, Narla
Wilks and Maddie Bonser taking them into a scoring position but again the ball ran out of play. Like a pendulum
play immediately swung back onto the Arnold defence and a good cross from the by line from Chantelle Swales
gave Zoe Meyrick her just reward with a tap in goal. It was Chantelle’s efforts again in the last moments of the
game, when her corner kick was tapped in by Julia Tamasy to give a final score of 5-0 to Nottingham Forest
Ladies. A comfortable win by a strong Nottingham Forest team against a spirited and competitive Arnold Town
team.
The match officials’ choice for the Player of the Final award was Amy Clifford of Arnold Town for her
outstanding performance at the heart of the Arnold Town defence.