Nottingham Forest Women Edge Newcastle United Women 2‑1 in FA Cup Group A
Oct, 6 2025
When Nottingham Forest Women turned a one‑goal deficit into a 2‑1 win against Newcastle United Women on FA Women’s League Cup Group A clashOne Call Stadium, the result sent a ripple through Group A and gave the home side a crucial three points.
The match kicked off at 18:45 UTC (7:45 pm local) on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, in front of a modest crowd of 258 fans, with Alice Parker officiating.
Why it matters: the win not only placed Forest second in the group but also highlighted the depth of talent emerging in England’s women’s game, especially in the north‑midlands.
Game overview: a cagey first half, fireworks in the second
The opening 45 minutes were a tactical chess match. Both sides kept a tight shape, resulting in a 0‑0 scoreline at halftime. Forest’s keeper Georgia Ferguson made a handful of saves, while Newcastle’s defence held firm despite pressure from Forest’s midfield duo of Aimee Rodgers and captain Megan Green.
Everything changed after the break. In the 53rd minute, Beth Lumsden slipped the ball past Ferguson to give Newcastle a 1‑0 lead.
Turning point: the five‑minute goal spree
Forest responded instantly. Two minutes later, Aimee Claypole struck a low drive from the edge of the box, restoring parity at 1‑1. “We knew we had to react quickly,” Claypole said in the post‑match interview.
Just three minutes after that, Kirsty Smith latched onto a lofted cross and headed home, making it 2‑1. The rapid succession of goals within a five‑minute window turned the match on its head and left the crowd buzzing.
Player performances that stood out
- Aimee Claypole – 1 goal, 1 assist, 85% pass accuracy.
- Kirsty Smith – decisive header, 2 shots on target.
- Beth Lumsden – lone goal for Newcastle, 4 successful dribbles.
- Georgia Ferguson – 4 saves, confidence‑boosting distribution.
- Midfielder Vicky Lia – controlled the tempo, 62% possession while on the ball.
Substitutions kept the tempo high. Nahikari García entered in the 67th minute, adding fresh legs to the attack, while Newcastle tried to chase the game with a late switch that fell short.
Tactical insights & statistics
Though the official match report omitted full stats, the numbers that were released tell a story:
- Possession – Forest 53%, Newcastle 47%.
- Total shots – Forest 12, Newcastle 9.
- Shots on target – Forest 5, Newcastle 3.
- Corner kicks – Forest 4, Newcastle 2.
- Fouls committed – Forest 9, Newcastle 11.
The data shows Forest’s higher shot volume translated into quality finishes when it mattered most. Manager Andy Cooke (not marked again) praised his side’s “mental resilience” after the quick comeback.
What this result means for Group A
With three points secured, Forest sits second in the six‑team Group A, behind only the eventual group leader, Manchester United Women, who beat their opponents earlier in the day. Newcastle, now with zero points, must win its remaining two matches to stay alive.
The win also boosts Forest’s goal difference to +1, a vital tiebreaker should the group become tightly contested. For the broader women’s game, the match exemplifies the growing competitiveness of the FA Women’s League Cup, an event that now attracts TV coverage and increasing fan attendance.
Key facts
- Date: 24 September 2025
- Venue: One Call Stadium, Nottingham
- Attendance: 258
- Final score: Nottingham Forest Women 2 – 1 Newcastle United Women
- Goal scorers: Beth Lumsden (53’), Aimee Claypole (55’), Kirsty Smith (58’)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this victory affect Nottingham Forest Women’s chances of advancing?
The three points lift Forest to second place with a +1 goal difference, keeping them within striking distance of the group leader. With two matches left, a win in either of the remaining fixtures would likely secure a semifinal berth, provided other results go their way.
What were the main tactical adjustments made after conceding?
Cooke’s side shifted to a higher‑pressing block, forcing Newcastle into turnovers that allowed Claypole and Smith to exploit space on the flanks. The substitution of García added a creative spark, while the full‑back line pushed higher to deliver the crossing that Smith capitalised on.
Who stood out for Newcastle United Women despite the loss?
Beth Lumsden’s early goal kept Newcastle in the contest, and midfielder Hannah Smith (not previously marked) controlled possession well, completing 78% of her passes. Their defense, however, struggled to cope with Forest’s quick transitions.
What does this match indicate about the growth of women’s football in England?
The intense competition, televised coverage and increasing gate‑receipts—258 fans in a modest stadium—show a rising appetite for the women’s game. The quality of play, especially the rapid goal response, suggests that the talent pool is deepening across the tiers.
When is the next Group A fixture for both teams?
Forest’s next group match is against Manchester United Women on 2 October 2025, while Newcastle faces Leicester City Women on 5 October 2025. Both games are crucial for their survival hopes.
Liz Lessner
October 6, 2025 AT 02:49What an awesome comeback for Forest! The kids gotta keep that fire, those quick goals show the squad's mental gri. Aimee Claypole's strike and Kirsty Smith's header were just perfect timing. Keep pushing, the next games will be even tougher, but you've shown you can handle the pressure.
Chance Remien
October 6, 2025 AT 16:42The second‑half surge by Nottingham Forest Women can be dissected as a textbook example of adaptive pressing.
The after‑conceding adjustment saw Andy Cooke shift from a 4‑3‑3 to a more aggressive 4‑2‑4, compressing midfield zones.
This forced Newcastle into a higher defensive line, creating pockets of space behind their full‑backs.
Aimee Claypole exploited these gaps with a low drive that cut through the centre, restoring parity at the 55th minute.
Her movement off the ball also drew the opposition centre‑backs out of position, opening a channel for the wing‑back's cross.
The subsequent corner, delivered by Vicky Lia, was met by Kirsty Smith, whose timing and aerial awareness turned the ball into the net.
Statistically, Forest's possession increased from 48 % in the first half to 53 % after the tactical switch, reflecting greater control.
Shot volume rose correspondingly, with twelve attempts overall, five of which tested the keeper.
The defensive discipline improved as well, with only nine fouls compared to Newcastle's eleven, indicating a more measured approach.
Substituting Nahikari García at the 67th minute added a creative spark, allowing the team to sustain pressure without over‑committing.
García's diagonal passes stretched the opposition defense, creating additional passing lanes for forward players.
Moreover, the high press led to two forced turnovers in the final ten minutes, albeit without further conversion.
From a psychological perspective, the rapid three‑goal swing exemplifies the squad's resilience and belief in the game plan.
Such mental fortitude is often cultivated in training environments that emphasize scenario‑based drills.
Looking ahead, maintaining this adaptive mindset will be crucial for Forest's upcoming fixture against Manchester United.
In summary, the tactical flexibility, precise execution, and collective confidence displayed in this match set a solid foundation for the remainder of the group stage.
Anna Lee
October 7, 2025 AT 06:36Wow!! That five‑minute goal fest was pure fireworks!!! Claypole and Smith totally lit up the stadium!! Forest showed they can turn the tide in a snap!!
Daniel Craine
October 7, 2025 AT 20:29Sure, a comeback is nice, but let’s be real-Newcastle’s defense was a joke. They gave away space like it was a free buffet, and the midfield looked like they were on a coffee break. The stats say it all: 9 shots total, only 3 on target, and a handful of corners. Nothing impressive to write home about.
Kristen VanPamel
October 8, 2025 AT 10:22The match illustrates the dialectic of dominance and surrender within sport; power shifts as quickly as belief.
Reid Vance
October 9, 2025 AT 00:16Exactly, and to add, the statistical edge came from a higher Expected Goals (xG) value after the 55th minute. Forest's xG jumped from 0.5 to 1.3 while Newcastle's stagnated. That’s why the pressure translated into quality chances. Also, the positional swap of the full‑backs created width that Newcastle couldn’t cover.
Javier cox
October 9, 2025 AT 14:09Great game to watch, love seeing women’s football grow. The crowd may be small but the energy is huge. Keep it up, Forest!
Giacinta Pace
October 10, 2025 AT 04:02Yes! The team’s spirit is contagious and the fans feel it.
darryl archer
October 10, 2025 AT 17:56While the outcome was favorable, one must acknowledge that the underlying tactical framework remained rudimentary. The reliance on swift transitions, rather than sustained possession, suggests a nascent strategic depth that warrants further development.
Dina DiCicco
October 11, 2025 AT 07:49Enough talk, just enjoy the win! 🚀