Head Coach Carly Davies continued her unbeaten start to life at the helm of Nottingham Forest this past weekend as the Reds romped to another, high-scoring win, this time claiming a 4-1 success in the West Midlands, against hosts West Bromwich Albion.
Freya Thomas opened the Reds’ account on the afternoon as they scored twice in each half, the opening being struck into the top corner before, minutes later, the lead was doubled after corner from Holly Manders was headed back across by captain Lyndsey Harkin, and last season’s top scorer, Charlotte Greengrass fired home.
Leading by two at the break, the lead could have been furthered ten minutes into the second period however, a great move between Greengrass, and Chloe Dixon, was pulled back for offside; it was added to with a little over twenty remaining however, Greengrass doubling up with her second of the game, and fifth of the season after Becky Anderson claimed the ball and threaded though for the striker to finish well.
As the game moved towards the closing five, the hosts were awarded a penalty, only for visiting shot-stopper, Emily Batty, to save Hannah George’s spot-kick; Batty’s goal though was breached at the death however when the hosts pulled one back, Meesha Dudley-Jones firing into the top corner from just inside the box.
Pretty much from the restart however and the Reds had regained their three-goal advantage when Mai Moncaster smashed home her first goal of the season from distance, putting the seal on a fine, 4-1 win.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST – Emily Batty, Lyndsey Harkin, Natalie Johnson, Olivia Cook, Mai Moncaster, Holly Manders, Chloe Dixon, Freya Thomas, Becky Anderson, Hayley James, Charlotte Greengrass
Back in the East Midlands and Notts County gained their first point of the season when hosting Sheffield, although it didn’t look that way come the interval, the visitors snatching a one-goal lead on the stroke of half-time.
The second half though was back-and-forth, neither side knowing when to quit as first, Emily Brett equalised six minutes after the restart, followed by a pair of assists, for a brace of goals from Nicola Russell, each of hers being equalisers as well, the latter in the dying minutes; the visitors, they registered through Stacey Buxton, Mille Fugler, and Amy Nelson.
NOTTS COUNTY – Phillipa Davies, Mollie-Mae Crump, Emma Scoffham, Holly Fowler, Emily Stretton, Annie Taylor, Laura Steele (Skye Lakin-Wright, 65), Elle Rowson (Takiah Burnett, 73), Emily Brett, Katie Platts (Nicola Russell, 63), Nya Chambers (Shoniqua Barnes, 56)
Next up for Forest and County in their respective, FA Women’s National League endeavours, Forest are at home to AFC Fylde (10 September), whilst County face consecutive away games against Loughborough Lightning (6 September) and Sutton Coldfield Town (10 September).
The East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League (EMWRFL) kicked off this past weekend as both Basford United, and Mansfield Town, kept clean sheets in their respective, hoe wins.
Basford eased to a 7-0 win against visiting Long Eaton United with Phoebe Roe bagging herself a hat-trick alongside goals from Libbi Bexon, Anna Butcher, Alana Crawford, and Isabel Sullivan; Mansfield meanwhile won 3-0 against Anstey Nomads as Mathilda Evans registered from the spot to afford an interval lead, further goals coming from Grace Shipman, and Olivia Wheatcroft.
MANSFIELD TOWN – Vanessa Kinnerley, Maia Taylor, Chloe Hutsby, Monica Bowley, Eve Shaw, Gabriella Foulkes, Grace Shipman, Chrystal Smiley, Alaya Price, Erin James, Mathilda Evans
In Division One North, Retford drew 2-2 away to Skegness, Isabelle Thorpe and Katie Stainsby netting, whilst SJR Worksop won 5-0 at home to Oughtibridge War Memorial; and there was plenty of goals notched in Division One Central as well.
Arnold Eagles and Sandiacre Town both won 3-1 at home, against Beaumont Park and Loughborough Foxes Vixens respectively, Natasha Leach revving up the Eagles’ new season with a hat-trick, Emma Hawkins and Caitlin Want notching for Sandiacre.
Lily-May Jacobs scored twice as Notts County Development won 3-2 at home to West Bridgford Colts, and the game between Nottingham Trent University and Sherwood saw six goals shared.
Six different scorers as Amy Copley, Macie Smith and Lana Wearne netted for NTU, with Claudia Dawkins, Harmony McCrackle-Mitchell and Kitty Ward, replying for Sherwood in a six-goal thriller.
There was also games played, and plenty of goals scored, in the Nottinghamshire Girls & Ladies League, Keyworth United top-scoring with a 7-1 win away to Teversal, Sophie Beresford and Ruby Attewell both bagging braces for the victors.
Radcliffe Olympic won 5-0 at home to Hucknall Town as Shannon Franklin and Taylor Johnson scored twice apiece, whilst Newark Town and Mansfield Town Development shared eight goals in a high-scoring draw, Connie Forman and Paxton Johnson bagged braces for the hosts, Bethany Jones with a hat-trick in reply.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @NFFCWomen Mai Moncaster celebrates her goal.
