Retford girls edge out Forest

The home side pressured from the off with Amber Ellis nearly taking the lead in the first couple of minutes with a shot that went just wide.

But it was Forest who took the lead when a shot from long range flew into the top right corner.

Retford took possession and passed the ball up the field to Ellis, who beat two defenders and made no mistake with a low and hard shot into the bottom left corner to draw the sides level.

Forest, against the run of play, took full advantage of a defensive mix up to go 2-1 up. Retford again picked themselves up and nearly equalised after Chloe Waugh neatly passed to Ellis, whose shot smashed against the crossbar this time around.

Retford kept up the tempo in the second half, not giving Forest an inch. It seemed only a matter of time before Retford got an equaliser.

And it came from the boots of Ellis who netted her second after some excellent passing from the hosts.

Leanne Neale had troubled the Forest defence all game and was rewarded with a goal when she tore through again to score the winner, and send Retford into a semi-final clash with West Bridgford on March 18th.

Retford: Daisy Marsh (C), Abbey Coleman (GK), Sian White, Bethany Bennett, Maisy Whittall, Lily Baker, Ellie Baines, Macey Wilson, Chloe Waugh, Marisha Holland, Leanne Neale, Amber Ellis and Ella Mowbray.