Two points separate second to fifth in the Women’s Super League 2 following Sunday’s round of matches, among which was Nottingham Forest’s come-from-behind, 3-2 success, away to Southampton.

The Reds, who’ve had a mixed start to the season, leapfrogged their hosts, who dropped to fifth, and moved into fourth themselves with the win courtesy of a late brace from substitute, Charlie Wellings.

It was in-fact Carly Davies’ travelling side who took the lead late in the first half, Amy Rodgers and Chantelle Boye-Hlkorah combining well, the latter though saw her shot saved by Fran Stenson in the home goal, Nahikari Garcia on-hand to tap home the rebound.

The Saints however equalised in first half stoppage time when Mary Bashford flicked home a Saints set-piece with the last kick of the half, the two sides going in level after the first forty-five.

Another set-piece led to the Saints’ second of the after with twenty remaining when Jess Simpson headed past Emily Batty as Simon Parker’s side took the lead heading into the closing stages.

Ten minutes later and Reds boss, Davies, brought on Charlie Wellings and Caragh Hamilton for Aimee Claypole and Kirsty Smith, the move paying instant dividends, in dramatic fashion.

Within minutes of entering the field-of-play Wellings collected a through-ball from another substitute, Rachel Rowe, to equalise, then, just minutes later, the same player grabbed what would prove the winner as Wellings raced through on goal and fired the ball past Stenson and into the bottom corner.

A valuable three points taken back to the East Midlands by Forest, who next welcome Birmingham City to Nottingham on Monday 10 November (KO 19:00).

NOTTINGHAM FOREST – Emily Batty, Jess Stapleton, Chloe Mustaki, Amy Rodgers, Aimee Claypole (Charlie Wellings, 83), Chloe Hed, Mollie Green, Freya Thomas, Nahikari Garcia (Rachel Rowe, 59), Kirsty Smith (Caragh Hamilton, 83), Chantelle Boye-Hlkorah

Notts County meanwhile enjoyed their afternoon in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands, registering a second clean sheet in a matter of days, bagging eight goals across two games.

In midweek Adam Dunleavy’s side won 5-0 away to Lincoln United with goals from Jessie Knott, Nikki Russell, Leah Hardy, Shoniqua Barnes and Rebecca Matthews, they following up on Sunday with a 3-0 win at home to Northampton Town.

Goalless at the break, County moved into fifth with fourth league win of the season, Leah Hardy netted her third goal in as many games to open the scoring, before Shoniqua Barnes took over.

Barnes made it two when Emily Brett, provider of the first goal, grabbed another assist, before two became three with a little over twenty remaining when Barnes doubled up.

A deflection fell nicely for Barnes who, as the ball falls, connects with a lovely volley into the visiting net, and in doing so taking her tally to four in her last three outings, and her 50th goal for the club.

In the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League there was mixed outcomes for the Notts-based clubs, SJR Worksop were beaten on the road at Loughborough Foxes Vixens in the Premier Division.

Meanwhile, in the same division, Mansfield Town eased to a 3-0 win away to Stamford to aid in closing the gap on side above them.

Megan Brierley, Katie Platts, and Millie Mellors all found the net for Andi Bell’s charges, a result which sees them move within ten points of joint-leaders Chesterfield, and Rotherham, the Stags having four/five games in hand on their rivals.

In the EMWRFL Division One Central, Nottingham Trent University won 3-2 away to Basford United with Helen Slee, Claudia Dawkins, and Sarah Newton all netting for the victors, and West Bridgford Colts were held to a 1-1 draw when away to Coalville Town, Maisy Wynne scoring for the Colts.

Newark Town meanwhile won 5-2 at Cleethorpes Town in Division One North as Connie Forman struck twice, whilst there were defeats on the road for both Arnold Eagles, 5-1 at Dronfield Town, and for Notts County Development, 3-0 at Grimsby Town Academy.

Hannah Daniel gave the Eagles the lead in their game at Dronfield only to fall to defeat via Krissy Humble’s hat-trick, and Charlotte Bennehan’s brace, whilst County’s second string were well beaten in Grimsby for whom Milly North struck twice.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFC all hugs during Forest’s win at St Mary’s Stadium.