Some would say they are showing the men’s first team how to do things properly as Andy Cook’s Nottingham Forest side stay second in the Womens National League Northern Premier Division after a win at Stoke City Ladies yesterday.

After an opening day draw at West Brom the Reds have now won their last three matches following home victories against Derby County and Sheffield FC and a tricky looking trip to Stoke look set to test this relatively new side that has been put together with some big transfers over the summer and that was the case as the Reds found themselves behind after just six minutes of the match.

The Reds soon levelled though as Rosie Axten (again) netted a third goal in three games on 27 minutes before Rebecca Rayner made it 2-1 to Forest a minute later.

The second half was a tense affair with both sides having chances but with three minutes remaining Bex Rayner looked to wrap things up with her second goal of the game but a late Stoke reply ensured the final few seconds would be nailbighting.

A cracking win for Forest who now join Fylde on 10 points from 4 games played with bottom of the table Loughborough Foxes up next on Sunday.

In the East Midlands Womens Football League this weekend Mansfield Town beat Woodlands Ladies 3-2 in Derby to record the Stags first Premier Division win of the season whilst Notts County were comprehensive 8-0 winners over Loughborough Foxes Vixens in the Southern Division. The table toppers heroin of the match was most definitely Melissa East who scored six goals with Bella Reed netting the other two.

In the North Division Arnold Eagles were held by Cleethorpes Town whilst St Josephs Rockware of Worksop won their second match of the campaign to go top after beating Grimsby Borough 4-2.

*Main image @NFFCWomen the Reds in blue celebrate a goal at Stoke.