A new-look Nottingham Forest Women took to the field in the opening Women’s Super League 2 encounter with visitors Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.

In an overhaul of last season’s National League Northern double winners, Head Coach Carly Davies has brought in some fifteen new players over the summer which included players from Bristol City, London City, West Ham, and a pair from Djurgarden, Sweden.

The travelling Magpies found themselves a goal to the good inside ten minutes when Emily Murphy headed home Beth Lumsden’s corner, with them doubling their advantage on twenty-six minutes when Shania Hayles crossed for Molly Pike to net on her debut.

Within six minutes of the restart, Forest debutant, Kirsty Smith, pulled one back for the Reds, and with it their first WSL2 goal, the visiting Magpies holding on for an opening day win.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST – Emily Batty, Jessie Stapleton, Georgia Brougham, Chloe Mustaki (Mollie Green, 78), Kirsty Smith (Caragh Hamilton, 68), Freya Thomas, Hollie Olding (Nahikari Garcia, 46), Amy Rodgers, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Aimee Claypole (Rachel Rowe, 62), Deanne Rose (Vivienne Lia, 68)

In addition to the league season kicking off, Forest have also learned their opponents for the Group Stage of this seasons WSL League Cup, they will face Newcastle United (24 September), Everton (30 September), and Manchester City (22 November)

In the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands, Notts County have now played five matches, their season having kicking off back in mid-August; Sunday saw them win 2-0 away to Sheffield FC in the Group Stage of the FAWNL Cup.

The Lady Magpies have won one and lost two of their three league games to date, the win being a 5-0 success at Stourbridge (Evie Brooks 2, Emily Brett, Shoniqua Barnes, and Toni McHamilton); in their group game with Sheffield FC the visitors won with second half goals from Leah Hardy and Shoniqua Barnes.

In the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Premier Division there were victories for both Notts clubs in the top flight, Mansfield Town picked up a 3-1 win at home to Stamford as Katie Platts notched a brace, and SJR Worksop won 2-1 at home to Loughborough Foxes Vixens with Millee Clarke at the double.

There was also action in the Women’s FA Cup with two of the six Notts-based clubs progressing from the Preliminary Round, Basford United beat Arnold Eagles on penalties following a goalless draw, and Nottingham Trent University won 4-1 away to Pride Park.

Clubs exiting was Sherwood (2-1 at home to River City), West Bridgford (2-0 off visiting Coalville Town), and Newark Town (3-0 off Netherton United).

The draw has also been made for the opening round of the Nottinghamshire FA Women’s County Cup (to be played 21 September). This is as follows –

West Bridgford vs. Keyworth United Development, Lowdham Colts Development vs. Southwell City, Cotgrave vs. Hucknall Town, Beeston vs. Notts County, Retford vs. Notts County Development, Lowdham Colts vs. Sherwood Colliery, Bingham Town vs. East Leake Robins, Basford United vs. Eastwood & Kimberley, Sherwood Development vs. Nottingham Trent University, Arnold Eagles vs. Keyworth United, Sherwood vs. Gedling Southbank, Newark Town Development vs. Mansfield Town Development, Ollerton Town Development vs. University of Nottingham, Shirebrook Rangers vs. Mansfield Hosiery Mills, Newark Town vs. Arnold Eagles Girls, Meden Vale Colts vs. Radcliffe Olympic.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFC a tough start to WSL 2 matters for Forest.