Foxes travelled away to Eastwood CFC to face an inform Nottingham Forest who was the only remaining unbeaten side in the FAWNL North. Foxes made a few changes to their line up with captain Young coming back into the starting XI after running the virtual London marathon last week alongside Matlock who made her first competitive start for Foxes after 18 months out injured. Mcgrother took up a new role leading Foxes from the front.
Forest were quick to make their mark on the game converting early after a defensive mix up from Foxes, however keen to react Young launching two attacks in quick succession to try and put Foxes on the score sheet. The team continued to push for a response with Mcgrother having a shot on target after a well worked Foxes move. Forest kept applying pressure and came close to adding a second to their lead as a goalmouth scramble resulted in a great save from Mayfield and a strong block from Sharpe. Not put off by this Forest again attacked the Foxes goal and were able to score from just outside the box after a strong solo run.
Forest moved up the gears and were unlucky not to get a third as they had a shot hit the post and were denied by a strong Mayfield save within minutes of each other. The home side were able to add to their lead as they converted with a header from a corner and followed this up with a volley from close range. The first half finished 4-0 to the home side with Foxes unable to soak up the constant pressure from Forest.
Foxes started the second half positively with Matlock playing a through ball into Mcgrother who pressure on the Forest keeper. Foxes made their first substitution of the game after the hour mark with Cooper coming on to replace Nicholls. Loughborough continued to deny Forest the opportunity to make it 5 with both Webb and Taft making crucial blocks with Young and Lowe sweeping up any loose balls. However, it was not enough as Forest added another after 70′ minutes and a strong period for Foxes. Knight then came on to replace Taft as Mcgrother moved back into defence. Forest got another as a cut inside released a long-range effort that was just out of reach for Mayfield. Foxes final substitution of the game saw Lowe be replaced by Miller as Forest added their final goal to the score sheet. Loughborough pressed for a consultation goal towards the end of the game with Steele releasing Cooper who’s cross was picked up by the Forest keeper after a deflection. Young continued to influence play at both ends of the pitch with her header just going over the bar from a Steele corner then putting in a strong block just before the end of play.
The game finished with a strong Forest side winning 7-0 over Foxes. A difficult defeat for the Loughborough side but some positive periods in the second half give them something to build off ahead of their next game at home to Burnley.