Oxford United Women 2-2 Nottingham Forest Women (Friendly) 30.05.21

She finished her career in the way only she knew how, with an assist, and of course a goal, in the final game of the 2020/21 campaign.

Annabel McKechnie has been with the Garibaldi since she 15, debuted in the first team at 16, and, has seen and done a lot during her time at the club.

Nottingham-born, McKechnie has become a club legend, racking up 182 appearances to become fourth on the all-time appearance list, notching a number of goals along the way.

Midweek, in the final training sessions of the season, she was lauded over and showered with gifts, and on Sunday afternoon, and after a guard-of-honour when away to Oxford United in Forest’s tenth, post-season outing, she led out the Reds as captain, the club earning a 2-2 draw ahead of what will now be a well-deserved break.

In taking a 24-person squad down to Oxfordshire, Head Coach Andy Cook again gave a number of his team, experienced, and new, a run-out, with goalkeeper, Lucy Jones, again donning the gloves between the sticks, and an appearance for back-up shot-stopper, Georgina Eden-Hasler, on the bench for the first time this season.

An even opening ten minutes was shattered by absolute scenes eleven minutes in as McKechnie, it had to be really didn’t it, marked her final appearance for the club, with the opening goal of the afternoon.

A corner is only half-cleared to Olivia Cook on the edge of the book before her looped cross back in is met by the departing McKechnie who finishes neatly at the far post – cue pandemonium for the visitors.

Both sides had opportunities throughout the first period, visiting ‘keeper, Jones, called into action on a handful of occasions but she held firm.

The hosts did break a resolute, Forest backline deep into stoppage time at the end of the first period, Lauren Haynes being a danger throughout and it would be her corner that was headed home by the onrushing Daisy McLachlan.

Home substitute, Brogan Moore, would see a goal disallowed within minutes of coming on as a half-time substitute before finally netting, just before the hour, following a goalmouth scramble before McKechnie was up to her old tricks again, this time turning goal-provider.

A little over twenty minutes remaining, ad McKechnie would send a cross into the home box, it being met well by Laura Dexter at the far post by Laura Dexter who taps the ball home to square the match at twos-apiece.

The game then eased through its end-of-season motions, both sides settling for a draw before the moment the afternoon was calling for, the departure of Annabel McKechnie.

Amidst applause from those around them, McKechnie departed having enjoyed her final appearance, as captain, with a goal, and assist, her loving son Ezra, watching from the sidelines.

Now, after ten, post-season friendlies, seven of which yielded victories and some 29 goals – Bonser, Steggles and Greengrass with four apiece, a McKechnie-less Nottingham Forest Women, head off for a much-deserved break, before returning for a pre-season schedule, and the 2021/21 campaign (TBA) under the continued, and erstwhile guidance, of Andy Cook – as for McKechnie, she rides off into the sunset to enjoy retirement, she’ll be back pitch-side though, of that we’re all certain.

Enjoy retirement Annabel, you deserve it!!

Forest: Jones, James, Cook (Greengrass 63), O’Neill (Higginbottom 46), Hewitt (Farthing 75), Tudor (Bonser 46), Axten (Reynolds 46), Brown (Betts 75), Moncaster (Dexter 46), Scholefield (Matthews 46), McKechnie (Middleton 85).

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFCWomen the girls celebrate a magnificent career for Annabel McKechnie.