Carly Davies’ Nottingham Forest side suffered their second defeat in three games following a 2-1 Women’s Super League 2 reverse at the hands of visiting Crystal Palace.

Victory for the Londoners, who netted twice in the opening half hour through moved them into sixth place, whilst Forest find themselves fourth bottom with the loss.

A minutes’ silence was held across WSL and WSL2 matches following the passing of, among others, the former Chelsea, West Ham United and Liverpool Women’s manager, Matt Beard; as for the game itself, and despite a few chances by the hosts, it would be the visitors who’d take the lead through Justine Vanhaevermaet, before Kirsty Howat double the advantage just after half-hour mark.

Palace would hit Forest shot-stopper, Emily Batty’s upright shortly after the restart, with the Reds battling and looking for a way back into the contest; that way back came a little late for them to mount much of a fight, but, in stoppage time, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah grabbed a goal that gave the Reds at least some hope.

Nottingham Forest – Emily Batty, Georgia Brougham (capt; Jessie Stapleton,43), Chloe Mustaki, Deanne Rose, Amy Rodgers, Ebba Hed, Charlie Wellings (Vivienne Lia, 46), Freya Thomas (Hollie Olding, 84), Caragh Hamilton (Smith, 71), Nahikari Garcia (Tove Almqvist, 71), Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah

Meanwhile, in the National League North Division One Midlands, Notts County suffered late heartbreak, losing 1-0 away to Boldmere St. Michaels, the winning goal arriving with two minutes of the game remaining.

Action continued in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, with five Notts-based clubs in action in the Second Qualifying Round, four of whom progressed to the next round.

Top-scoring was history-makers, University of Nottingham, who, having won 10-1 at Boston Town in the last round, followed that up with a stunning 8-1 win away to Belper Town to progress again.

Both Amelia Penfold and Mia Solorio-Smith bagged hat-tricks in the victory, whilst Auburn Burnett and Ede Buchele also netted, as UoN reached the 3QR for the first time.

Joining them is Andi Bell’s Mansfield Town, they easing to a 7-1 win when home to visiting Corby Town, Chloe Foster with a hat-trick, and Olivia Wheatcroft a brace, Monica Bowley and Katie Platts also netting.

SJR Worksop edged a five-goal thriller away to Sherburn White Rose thanks to goals from Emily Myatt, Amy O’Brien, and Beth Gingell, and Basford United beat hosts Allexton & New Parks on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

Ella Dorma netted in the first half for Basford, whilst Georgia Gladwin sent the tie to penalties with a late leveller, before ‘keeper Kaci Riley took deserved plaudits with two saves in the shoot-out as they progressed 4-2 on penalties.

In the remaining tie, Nottingham Trent University exited the competition when suffering late heartbreak at Loughborough Foxes Vixens, the hosts netting the only goal of the game with two minutes left on the clock.

There was also action in the Nottinghamshire FA Women’s County Cup as both Newark Town and Notts County Development registered big wins, the former easing past visitors Arnold Eagles Girls 13-1, hat-tricks coming from Connie Forman and Jess Hogg along with braces for both Paxton Johnson and Kirsty Naismith, whilst the latter won 8-0 at Retford with Sophie Westley bagging three alongside braces for both Seren Abbott and Emily Macardle.

Sherwood won the remaining tie, 2-0 at home to Gedling Southbank whilst West Bridgford Colts were awarded a home walkover against Keyworth United Development.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFC Forest beaten by Crystal Palace Women.