The more things change, the more things stay the same; an adage that can be attributed to Nottingham Forest Women when, after a season of change in playing staff, the FA Women’s National League North outfit have, thus far, began the new campaign, with two wins from two.
In scoring ten, and conceding zero, the two openers, over Stoke City, and at the City Ground against Sporting Khalsa this past weekend, they’ve warmed up nicely for their next dance, with fellow Nottingham club, Division One Midlands outfit, Notts County, in the Determining Round of the FA WNL Cup competition.
A 7-0 success, in front of more than 1,200 at the famous City Ground, sees Forest holding joint-top alongside that of Rugby Borough, Burnley, and rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, with a pair of successes each.
Forest led by two at the interval, Sophie Domingo slotting home when played in by Freya Thomas, inside twenty minutes, before Thomas herself sees a slightly deflected effort hit the back of the net.
It could have easily been more than the seven when, before the third went in, via an own-goal, early in the second, Melanie Johnson seen an effort crash off the visitors’ woodwork; things got decisively better just after the hour though when Mollie Green added a sumptuous fourth.
WATCH GREEN’S ROCKET HERE
Having collected the ball on the Forest left, following a short corner, the defender, with oceans of space around her, floated right to move within shotting range and with no Khalsa challenge offered, unleashed a right-footed, 25-yard curler, into the top corner.
Having just been introduced to the field of play, substitute Holly Manders added a fifth when tapping home a corner from Charlie Wellings, whilst Thomas proceeded to hit the woodwork again; Wellings then found the back of the net, with thirteen remaining, beating her marker and striking home.
Bridget Galloway then grabbed her first goal for the Reds, with a couple of minutes remaining, smashing home Forest’s seventh of a goal-laden afternoon for Carly Davies’ much-changed side; of those changes, rivals Wolves have snapped up the pairing of Charlotte Greengrass and Rebecca Anderson, whilst the like of Aja Aguirre, Olivia Cook, Mai Moncaster, and Laura-Jayne O’Neill, have also departed.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST – Emily Batty, Lyndsey Harkin, Natalie Johnson (Katie Dungate), Kate Longhurst (Hayley James), Sophie Domingo, Melissa Johnson (Bridget Galloway), Charlie Wellings, Mollie Green, Freya Thomas, Caragh Hamilton (Amy Sims), Millie Chandrana (Holly Manders)
(Subs Unused – Georgie Ferguson, Hollie Olding)
As for Notts County, who survived relegation from the FA WNL Division One Midlands at the death last season, have started this with a win and a loss, goals from Rhea Bailey and Jessie Knott affording them an opening day, narrow, 2-1 win against Lincoln United.
The weekend just finished however, was one of nightmares for County, when away to Midlands title favourites, Loughborough Lightning; the early leaders won 6-0 in their opener, then bested that with an 8-0 success over the Pies.
Lightning were three to the good inside the opening ten minutes, former Forest player, Georgia Hewitt, added the fifth early in the second, whilst Jessice Collyer added a quick-fire brace, the hosts running amok.
NOTTS COUNTY – Phillipa Davies, Evelyn Brooks, Mollie Crump, Nya Chambers, Leah Hardy, Jessie Knott, Toni McHamilton, Shoniqua Barnes, Neve Hincks, Annie Taylor, Millie Quaintance (subs – Holly Fowler, Laura Vine, Lily Stevenson, Summer Reece, Katie Platts)
Next up for the two sides, a midweek dance at Grange Park, in the Determining Round of the League Cup, Nottingham Forest welcoming Notts County, on Thursday night (29 August), kick-off 19:45 – check with clubs for more information.
The East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League is scheduled to kick off in early September, with four Notts-based clubs taking their place in the leagues’ Premier Division.
An opening day derby (1 September) sees Basford United welcome newly-promoted Nottingham Trent University, whilst the other promoted side, SJR Worksop, they host Stamford; Mansfield Town’s season meanwhile begins the following week (8 September) when they travel to Sheffield FC.
In Division One Central, West Bridgford Colts start their campaign with a home game against Loughborough Foxes Vixens; Division One North has home outings for the regions three representatives with Arnold Eagles host Buxton, Notts County Development welcome Chesterfield, and Sherwood entertain Belper Town – all three games set for 8 September.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @NFFCWomen the Reds have had a winning start to the season so far.
