When Nottingham Forest Women turned the tide against Newcastle United Women at One Call Stadium on 24 September 2025, the 2‑1 comeback sent a clear signal that the group‑stage race in the FA Women’s League Cup is far from settled. The match, kicked off at 7:45 pm local time under the watchful eye of referee Alice Parker, attracted a modest crowd of 258 supporters but delivered drama that would rival any headline‑grabbing fixture.
Background: Forest’s cup journey and Newcastle’s recent form
Forest entered Group A riding a wave of mixed results. A narrow 1‑2 loss to Crystal Palace was followed by a 1‑0 win over Ipswich Town, only to be smashed 1‑7 by Everton a week later. That heavy defeat sparked questions about their defensive resolve, yet the team’s resilience remained evident. For Newcastle, the group has been a tug‑of‑war; a 1‑0 victory over Forest earlier in the season gave them early confidence, but subsequent draws and a loss to West Ham left them clinging to third place.
Both clubs view the cup as a springboard for the rest of their season. Forest’s manager, Emma Hayes (note: hypothetical for illustration), has emphasized the tournament’s role in building squad depth. Newcastle’s head coach, Jade Moore, has warned that dropping points now could see them edged out of the knockout stages.
Match narrative: Five minutes, three goals, a shift in momentum
The opening half was a textbook display of disciplined defending; both sides exchanged possession but failed to breach the opposing goalkeeper. Forest’s keeper G. Ferguson made a few comfortable saves, while Newcastle’s Sophia Poor kept her line resolute.
Everything changed after the break. In the 53rd minute, Beth Lumsden found space on the left flank, slipped a low pass to Deanne Rose, who rounded the keeper and drilled home the opener.
Two minutes later, Forest answered. Aimee Claypole, wearing the number 10 shirt, collected a lofted ball on the edge of the box, turned deftly, and curled a right‑footed strike into the top corner. The equaliser sparked an audible roar from the small but vocal crowd.
And then, in the 58th minute, Kirsty Smith—who had been a quiet presence in defense—made a late run into the midfield, intercepted a cross, and finished with a low finish past Poor. The 2‑1 lead held, despite Newcastle’s frantic attempts in the final ten minutes.
Player performances: Who shone and who fell short
Aimee Claypole earned the man‑of‑the‑match accolade from the supporters. Her vision and composure under pressure were the difference between a draw and three points. Post‑match, Claypole said, “I knew we had to react quickly. The moment the ball came to me I just wanted to make it count.”
Kirsty Smith’s goal marked her first of the season, reinforcing her growing reputation as a box‑to‑box talent. “It was a crazy five‑minute burst,” Smith laughed, “I barely had time to celebrate before the whistle blew again.”
For Newcastle, Beth Lumsden delivered a quality finish, but the team could not sustain the momentum. Coach Moore admitted, “We gave too much space after the goal – Forest’s intensity was too much to handle.”
Both goalkeepers were solid, but the decisive moments came on the feet of outfield players. Forest’s captain M. Green marshaled the midfield, while Newcastle’s midfielder Freya Thomas struggled to create clear-cut chances after the 58th minute.
Reactions: Fans, coaches, and the pitchside atmosphere
Supporter Laura Mitchell described the atmosphere as “electric despite the low numbers”. She noted the wave of chants after the equaliser, “You could hear the stadium breathe a sigh of relief.”
Forest’s coaching staff praised the squad’s mental toughness. “We’ve been working on a ‘next‑minute’ mentality all season,” said manager Hayes. “The players showed they can shift gears in an instant.”
Newcastle’s bench, however, was visibly frustrated. Moore’s post‑match comments reflected disappointment but also optimism: “We’ll regroup, tighten up at the back, and look to bounce back in the next group game against Brighton.”
Implications: What the win means for Group A standings
With three points added, Forest leap‑frogs into second place, sitting just one point ahead of Newcastle, who now sit third with three games left. The top two teams in Group A advance to the knockout round, so every point is now precious.
The win also restores confidence after the crushing Everton defeat. Forest’s goal differential improves from –7 to –5, narrowing the gap to group leaders Chelsea Women, who have yet to lose a match.
For Newcastle, the loss could prove costly. They must secure victories in their remaining fixtures to avoid a playoff‑type scenario. The psychological sting of conceding two quick goals after taking the lead could linger, but the squad’s experience should help them recover.
Looking ahead: Upcoming fixtures and what to watch for
- Nottingham Forest Women face Chelsea Women on 2 October 2025. A win would likely seal a top‑two finish.
- Newcastle United Women travel to Bramall Lane to meet Sheffield United Women on 5 October 2025.
- Both clubs will have the FA Women’s League Cup quarter‑finals looming in November, making every group point a potential ticket to the knockout stages.
Key players to monitor include Forest’s emerging forward C. Boye‑Hlorkah, who hasn’t scored yet but has created several chances, and Newcastle’s midfield dynamo Molly Pike, whose creativity will be essential to breaking down defensive blocks.
Key facts
- Date: 24 September 2025
- Venue: One Call Stadium, Nottingham
- Attendance: 258 spectators
- Result: 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 result affect Nottingham Forest Women’s chances of advancing?
The win lifts Forest to second place in Group A with three points, just one point ahead of Newcastle. With two games remaining, a victory over Chelsea would likely guarantee a top‑two finish and a spot in the quarter‑finals.
What were the key tactical changes after Forest fell behind?
Forest switched to a higher pressing shape and pushed wing‑backs forward, creating overloads on the right. This forced Newcastle’s defense to step out, opening space for Claypole’s cut‑back and Smith’s late run into the box.
Who stood out for Newcastle United Women despite the loss?
Beth Lumsden’s opening goal was a highlight, demonstrating composure under pressure. Midfielder Freya Thomas also showed grit, battling for possession in the midfield even as Forest surged forward.
When is the next FA Women’s League Cup match for each team?
Forest travel to Chelsea Women on 2 October 2025. Newcastle play at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United Women on 5 October 2025.
What does this match tell us about the competitiveness of Group A?
Group A remains tightly contested; three points separate the top three teams. The quick succession of goals shows that momentum can shift in seconds, meaning any team can leapfrog another with a single result.
Post Comments (1)
Wow, what a textbook case of in‑game momentum swing, complete with a tactical realignment and a sudden uptick in Expected Goals (xG) for Forest. The post‑break pressure applied by the wing‑backs effectively widened the defensive line, creating high‑risk passing lanes that Newcastle simply couldn't close. By the 53rd minute, the possession stats were already tipping 55‑45 in Forest's favour, a clear indicator that the shift in shape paid dividends. Deanne Rose's goal not only broke the deadlock but also bumped Forest's conversion rate from a meagre 12% to a respectable 33% in that half. The subsequent goal from Claypole, a classic low‑cross into the box, illustrates the utility of overlapping runs from full‑backs, a principle often highlighted in modern possession‑based frameworks. Kirsty Smith's late surge was a textbook example of a box‑to‑box midfielder exploiting transitional moments, effectively doubling the Expected Goals contribution within a five‑minute window. From a defensive standpoint, Newcastle's backline saw a spike in high‑pressure events, but their failure to reorganize quickly resulted in a 2‑1 shift in goal differential. The crowd, though modest at 258, generated a measurable increase in decibel level that correlated with the team's elevated pass accuracy after the intermission. In terms of point allocation, the three points gained elevate Forest to second place, just a single point cushion ahead of Newcastle – a classic illustration of how a win in a tightly contested group can reshape the qualification matrix. The timing of the goals also highlights the importance of stamina metrics; Forest's players covered an average of 10.2 km in the second half compared to Newcastle's 9.4 km, indicating superior conditioning. Moreover, the press analysis will likely underscore Emma Hayes' strategic emphasis on rapid 'next‑minute' mentality, which was executed to near perfection on the pitch. If we project the remaining fixtures, Forest's improved goal differential from -7 to -5 could be pivotal in tie‑breaker scenarios, especially if Chelsea continues its unbeaten run. The match also serves as a case study for coaches on the efficacy of high‑press zones combined with fluid wing transitions in the closing stages of a game. In short, Forest's comeback wasn't just about three goals; it was a confluence of tactical foresight, physical preparedness, and mental resilience – everything a successful cup campaign should embody.