Notts County Women continued their impressive start to the new FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands season with a come-from-behind win away to Sheffield on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts led at the break through Eve Shepherd’s goal after seven minutes, but were undone in the second half when County upped the tempo, and scored four times.

Emily Brett equalised just before hour mark, with Lily Skeldon adding the second ten minutes later; the hosts equalised themselves shortly after through former County defender. Molly-Mae Crump.

County though went on to add two further goals, through Shoniqua Barnes and Iris Lacey, in the final fifteen minutes, with Skeldon, Barnes and Lacey having done so from the bench.

NOTTS COUNTY – Ashleigh Hind, Matilda Clark, Hayleigh Sutton, Rhea Bailey (Lily Skeldon, 69), Leah Hardy (Shoniqua Barnes, 73), Emily Brett, Jessie Knott (capt; Kate Galloway, 83), Laura Vine, Neve Hincks, Claudia Jones (Iris Lacey, 82), Takiah Burnett (Lacey Snape, 90)

Meanwhile, in the WSL2, Nottingham Forest registered their first victory of the new season, and stretched their unbeaten start to three, following a 2-1 win away to Durham.

Bailey Hutchinson afforded the hosts the lead after just six minutes, but the Reds hit back ten minutes later when Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah equalised; the winner came five minutes into the second half when visiting captain, Georgia Brougham, netted.

Action was seen in the second qualifying round of this seasons Adobe Women’s FA Cup with three of the four Notts clubs progressing to the final qualifying round, Mansfield Town, Basford United, and SJR Worksop, all picking up big, home wins.

Mansfield overturned an interval deficit to win 2-1 at Ossett United, Summer Oliff netting from the spot on the hour, whilst Millie Mellors grabbed the winner at the death; SJR Worksop also progressed, doing so with a 4-1 win at home to Dronfield Town, Millee Clarke with a brace alongside efforts from Jemma Wheatley and Chelsea Bailey.

As for Basford United, their enjoyable start to the new season continued with a 4-1 home win of their own, they seeing off visitors Stanground Cardea; goals from Amelia Wheatcroft, Lucy Boler, and Ruby Bolingbroke had them 3-1 up at the break, Bolingbroke netting again in the second half.

Victory for the Greenwich Avenue side sees them progress to this stage of the competition for the first time in their history.

Two games involving local clubs were played in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Division One, University of Nottingham winning 4-0 at home to Coalville Town Ravens in the Central, whilst Notts County Development lost 2-1 at Belper Town in the North – Lucy Tyldesely scored twice in UoNs victory, all four goals coming in a rampant, second half.

There was also early action seen in the Nottinghamshire FA Women’s County Cup with among the victors, Calverton Miners Welfare progressing with an 8-0 win over visiting Cotgrave, Newark Town Reserves defeating hosts Retford Development 7-0, and Keyworth United edging a ten-goal thriller, 6-4, at home to Shirebrook Rangers.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NCFC_Women Notts County come from behind to beat Sheffield FC.