Last season, 2022-23, was an enjoyable one for supports, players and staff alike at both Nottingham Forest and Notts County, Nottingham’s two, flagship women’s sides having silver-laden campaigns.
In the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division, Forest, then under the guidance of Andy Cook and led by the goals of Charlotte Greengrass, to a treble of League, League Cup, and National League Cup.
Rivals Notts County on the other-hand, led by Adam Dunleavy and the goals of Summer Gayle and Shoniqua Barnes, won the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Premier, thus earning promotion to the National League’s Division One Midlands.
This season, it’s been one of transition thus far, for both clubs; at Forest, Cook left for the revolution at Newcastle United, several players departed (others arriving), and the club left Eastwood for nearby Grange Park, much to the initial dismay of supporters.
Carly Davies was brought in as Cook’s managerial replacement and, although there’s been a couple of bumps in the road, 2023 has finished with the Reds sitting third in the table, registering six wins and three losses in their nine league matches and see themselves ten behind the early leaders, Newcastle, with a game in hand.
The Davies reign began in style, a 7-0 rout of visiting Stourbridge, Charlotte Greengrass with three and Sophie Domingo two, the Reds winning their first four, in league and cup, however form has been a little erratic since.
Their League Cup defence was ended in the Second Round, at the hands of Newcastle, however there has been progression in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup following victories over Sheffield (another 7-0 success, Louanne Worsey and Niamh Reynolds with braces), Sporting Khalsa (3-2, Worsey with the winner), and, most recently, against Boldmere St. Michaels (3-1, Worsey again with the decisive third).
The New Year will see Forest attempt to progress in the FA Cup with their trip to Plymouth Argyle being one of four matches January will see; the Reds New Year sees the following games scheduled – West Bromwich Albion (H, League, 7 January), Plymouth Argyle (A, FA Cup, 14 January), Newcastle United (A, League, 21 January), and AFC Fylde (A, League, 28 January).
Meanwhile, Dunleavy’s County side romped to the East Midlands title last season, finishing six clear of runners-up, Lincoln United, collecting fourteen wins and a draw from their sixteen matches; this time around though, it’s been a difficult transition on their eagerly-anticipated return to the National League.
Loughborough Lightning are currently leading the way at the top of Division One Midlands, four points ahead of the rest, County meanwhile, they are languishing third bottom having collected two wins and two draws from their ten league outings thus far.
Their first point came in a 3-3 draw at home to Sheffield (substitute Nicola Russell with a brace), and that first win arrived on matchday four, a 3-2 win at Sutton Coldfield (Takiah Burnett with a stoppage time winner); surprisingly their second win of the season arrived just a week later, a 2-1 success against Leafield Athletic, all three goals coming in the first half.
Since then though, County have lost six straight, the run being halted in their last outing, that being a battling a 1-1 draw away to Leek Town, Russell again on target, she and Burnett currently on five goals apiece; they have also exited the cups at the hands of Loughborough (FA Cup), and AFC Fylde (League Cup).
Returning in the New Year, County have two home and one away match in January, in Div1 Midlands, they will be that of – Sporting Khalsa (H, League, 7 January), Sheffield (A, League, 14 January), and Sutton Coldfield Town (H, League, 21 January).
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @NCFC_Women Notts played at Lincoln this season in front of a big crowd at Sincil Bank.
