Wolverhampton Wanderers v Nottingham Forest recap – Forest battle past Midlands rivals in Adobe Women’s FA Cup to book place in round four

Forest advance to fourth round with win over Wolves

Nottingham Forest beat Wolves 2-1 to reach the fourth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

Goals from captain Georgia Brougham and Aimee Claypole gave Forest a 2-0 lead heading into half-time.

A goal from Georgia Marshall marked a spirited second-half performance for Wolves but it wasn’t enough as Forest progressed to the fourth round.

Brougham opened the scoring after four minutes as she headed in from close-range off a Chloe Mustaki corner.

Claypole doubled the lead in the 20th minute after sliding the ball into the net having been played in behind by Nahikari Garcia.

Beth Merrick was lucky to stay on the pitch as she went in late and high on Tove Almqvist, but she was only shown yellow.

After the break, Wolves came out with a purpose and pulled one back through Marshall in the 58th minute as she headed home from a long free-kick.

Wolves pushed for an equaliser in a much improved second-half performance but it ultimately wasn’t enough as Forest ran out deserved winners.

WATCH: BROUGHAM WANTS LONDON CITY LIONESSES IN NEXT ROUND

The Forest captain has been speaking to TNT Sports at full-time as she gave her thoughts on her side’s win.

FOREST PROGRESS TO THE FOURTH ROUND

It’s the WSL 2 side the ultimately gets the job done as they knock out National League North Wolves.

The hosts will be proud with how they battled in the second half but will know they let the game get away from themselves in the first 45.

For Forest, a side that is building, it is another step in the right direction.

FULL-TIME: WOLVES 1-2 FOREST

No they can’t! Forest hold on and will move into the fourth round of this season’s FA Cup.

A much improved second-half Wolves pushed them all the way after the break but they couldn’t find an equaliser.

Stick around for all the post-match reaction.

(90+6′) – CAN WOLVES FIND AN EQUALISER?

We’re into the final minute and Wolves are pushing for a goal!

(90+5′) – IT’S CHAOTIC

Everything is happening now! That Forest control is disappearing as Wolves dive in for each 50/50 and press the WSL 2 side hard.

(90+3′) – FOREST CONTROLLING POSSESSION

It’s the visitors who have dominated this added time so far!

They’re doing a great job of killing this off as Wolves through bodies forward to press.

(90′) – SEVEN ADDED MINUTES

Wow, that is unexpected. SEVEN more minutes to play here.

Can Wolves find a leveller?

(85′) – BATTY DENIES WOLVES

Another big save from the Forest keeper as Wolves launch the ball into the box and win the header.

It’s heading for the bottom left but Batty gets down well to push it clear.

(83′) – CHANCES AT A PREMIUM

Neither side wants to make the mistake that puts their side out in this cup tie.

The tension is high and the chances are few are far between.

Forest have managed to wrestle back control somewhat.

Wolves – a semi-pro si de – will be proud of how they are making Forest sweat.

(78′) – FOREST TRYING TO SLOW THINGS DOWN

The tempo isn’t what it was 15 minutes ago which is understandable, Wolves couldn’t keep that up for the whole half.

Wolves go long and Forest’s clearance drops to Williams outside the box who strikes it well but it whistles wide.

(75′) – MORE CHANGES

Chloe Williams replaces Anderson for Wolves who went close from a corner but it was put behind by Forest.

However, the referee gave a goal kick much to the hosts frustration and the visitors relief.

(72′) – FOREST HEAD WIDE

The visitors, who have been a threat from corners all afternoon, miss from close range.

Rodgers is relativetly free in the box but heads wide of the far post.

The next goal will be key. Remember extra time and penalites are in action today.

Milly Robertson replaces Worsey for Wolves.

(69′) – OUR FIRST CHANGES OF THE GAME

Forest take off Almqvist, Smith and Garcia.

And bring on the Canadian Deanne Rose, Caragh Hamilton and Jessie Stapleton.

(65′) – FOREST GETTING A FOOTHOLD

That Brooks stop might just be the start of a good spell for Forest.

They are seeing more of the ball now and are testing that Wolves backline regularly now.

(62′) – BROOKS MAKES AN IMPORTANT STOP

Almqvist is played in behind brillantly and you instantly prepare yourself to see the net buldge but out rushes Brooks.

She races to the edge of the box and smothers Almqvist shot from close range.

(60′) – MERRICK ALMOST SCORES FROM 40 YARDS

Wolves have been fantastic after the break and they aren’t letting up now! Merrick picks up the ball and looks to loop one in for miles out!

It goes just over the bar. Forest are under the cosh and need to see the next ten minutes out without conceeding.

(57′) – GOAL! WOLVES 1-2 FOREST (MARSHALL)

And Wolves have what they deserve! A free kick at the halfway line is lumped forward by Wolves and Marshall flicks it on.

It takes a knick off Mustaki on the way through which probably helps it in but Wolves won’t care.

Game on!

(55′) – BATTY MAKES A BIG SAVE

Wolves earn a corner and Morphet meets it at the near post to flick it goal bound.

Batty gets to it well and pushes it away with a strong hand – it looked to be going in!

Interestingly, Batty is wearing a cap at the set-pieces, the sun is definitely an issue.

(53′) – WOLVES LOOK RENEWED

They have started this half even better than they did the first.

Forest’s goals took the energy out of Wolves but a big half-time team talk has got them going again.

The visitors haven’t had a sniff so far this half.

(50′) – HUGHES OKAY TO CONTINUE

Hughes is back on her feet and can continue and so does the Wolves attack.

They’re smothering this Forest side in midfield as they know an early goal changes this tie completely.

(46′) – WOLVES GO CLOSE EARLY

The hosts have come flying out and they deliver a fantastic cross from the left that cuts through the Forest backline but evades all the attackers too.

From the resulting goal kick, Hughes has got herself hurt after flying into Batty in goal as she pressed to win the ball.

(45′) – OFF WE GO AGAIN

Forest get this second half started and while the sun has moved around a little, Forest are the one shooting towards it now.

Can the hosts do what Forest did in the first half or will the WSL 2 side continue to show their quality.

SECOND HALF MINUTES AWAY

Stay tuned because we are about to get going again as Wolves look to mount a comeback.

Don’t go anywhere because we will have LIVE updates for you here!

HOW TO WATCH THE SECOND HALF

WATCH: FOREST SHOW THEIR QUALITY AS THEY LEAD AT HALFTIME

The WSL 2 side are showing what they can do against National League North Wolves.

HALF-TIME: WOLVES 0-2 FOREST

Wolves have their best chance of the half with basically the final kick.

Merrick on the left cuts in and whips a shot goalwards which Batty catches.

Their hopes of reaching the fourth round are in doubt after that first 45. Forest have shown their quality in their goals and deserve their lead.

(45′) – ONE ADDED MINUTE

Forest’s Kirsty Smith takes a swing a the ball with her weaker foot and it flies over.

Neither side looking likely to score before the end of the half.

(40′) – WOLVES LACKING A FINAL BALL

While the hosts are battling hard across the pitch, they are yet to test Batty in the Forest goal.

The sun could be playing a part in it as it bares down on the way Wolves are shooting.

Maybe Forest changing ends before kick-off was a genius move.

(38′) – PINBALL IN THE WOLVES BOX

Forest get another corner which Mustaki takes again. She goes deep and Wolves have to clear their lines three times before they finally get the ball out of their penalty area.

Forest definitely finding joy at set-pieces.

(35′) – LATE CHALLENGE FROM MERRICK

Ouch! That is late and high from Merrick as she catches Almqvist high on the shin who goes down with a scream.

It’s only a yellow for the Wolves’ player – she can count herself lucky, that could’ve easily been red.

(32′) – FOREST ATTACK ENDS WITH OFFSIDE

A wonderful flowing passing move from Forest and just as it looks like they’ll be in for their third, the linesman’s flag goes up.

Forest look so good going forward.

(30′) – CORNER FOR WOLVES

Some nice buid up play from the hosts who are a pass away from being in on goal but Hed does brilliantly to intercept.

Forest also deal with Wolves’ corner as they head clear.

(27′) – WOLVES PROBING FOR RESPONSE

Forest are in relative control of this one now, they seem assured at the back and more threatening in attack.

But it’s the hosts who are making in-roads towards the next goal in this one.

As I say that, Harkin hacks down Garcia on a counter.

(23′) – LONG RANGE EFFORT FOR WOLVES

Wolves were buidling into this one and Forest dealt them a hammer blow.

As they look to get going again, and the hosts take a shot from 30 yards out but it sails wayward.

(20′) – GOAL! WOLVES 0-2 FOREST (CLAYPOLE)

Forest win the ball in the middle of the park again and Rowe plays a magnificent through ball to put Claypole in on goal.

The striker races away from the Wolves defence and calmly slots it home to double the visitors lead.

(16′) – SO CLOSE FOR FOREST

The first bit of quality in a while! Garcia races through the Wolves midfield and finds Boye-Hlorkah.

She cuts inside and beautifully curls the ball in with the outside of her boot.

No one can get on the end of it but the flag goes up anyway.

(14′) – BOTH SIDES FIGHTING FOR CONTROL

The press from both teams has been fantastic and it’s led to a high-energy, cagey opening 15 minutes here.

Neither side has really been able to dominate the opening minutes but Wolves are certainly giving as good as they are getting now.

(11′) – WOLVES DANGEROUS FREE KICK

Wolves finally get some sustained possession and it leads to them winning a free kick just outside Forest’s box.

The ball in is poor and Forest head clear.

(10′) – FOREST CORNER COMES TO NOTHING

The delivery isn’t as good as the first and it goes behind for a goal kick. Wolves look to play out from the back but the Forest press forces Brooks in goal to go long.

(8′) – HOW WILL WOLVES RESPOND?

It will be the worst possible start for the hosts as they looked to start fast and put the WSL 2 side under pressure.

They’ve tried to impose themselves again after the goal but Forest are showing their quality as they pinch it back in Wolves’ half and move forward to win another corner.

(4′) – GOAL! WOLVES 0-1 FOREST (BROUGHAM)

They’ve started well and it’s got even better! Mustaki delivers the corner deep and on top of a crowd of players around the goaline.

Brougham is the one to meet the ball and she heads it in from close range.

A nightmare start for Wolves!

(3′) – FOREST SETTLING IN WELL EARLY ON

Wolves are looking to make a fast start here and panic their WSL 2 opposition.

But Forest have started well they look composed on the ball and have our first chance as Nahikari turns and has her shot deflected over the bar.

(1′) – KICK-OFF

A quick change of sides and its Wolves to get us started.

HERE COME THE TEAMS

FOREST STARTING XI

The WSL 2 visitors will be hoping for no cup upset today as they make the short trip to Wolverhampton. Here is how they line up:

WOLVES TEAM NEWS

Wolves make one change to the side that beat Stoke City in the last round as Chloe Williams makes way for Amber Hughes.

GOOD AFTERNOON

Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup third round as Wolverhampton Wanderers host WSL 2 side Nottingham Forest.

Follow along here for updates through this afternoon’s all-midlands clash!

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TNT Sports will be bringing 19 Women’s FA Cup clashes to your screens throughout the 2025/26 campaign as part of a three-year deal, which will garner greater exposure for women’s football clubs across the pyramid. TNT Sports also broadcast a second-round fixture, which was another first for the Women’s FA Cup.