A second successive victory for Nottingham Forest saw them move back up to seventh in the WSL2 standings on Sunday afternoon, two points ahead of Sunderland in eighth, and two behind sixth place Southampton.

As was the case the previous weekend, when Forest saw off the challenge of Ipswich Town with goals from Joy Omewa and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Sunday’s win over visiting Durham, by a 2-1 score, was also courtesy of Omewa and Boye-Hlorkah.

All three goals arrived inside the opening thirty minutes, Carly Davies’ hosts striking first through Omewa, after just fourteen minutes, who turned the ball past Cat Sheppard at the back post, then, six minutes, the lead was doubled, Boye-Hlorkah firing home from range.

The Reds were forced into an early change just before the half hour mark, Kirsty Smith replacing the injured Jessie Stapleton at the back, the visitors quickly capitalising, Ayre’s cross being headed past Emily Batty at the back post by Lily Agg.

Agg was soon replaced by Grace Collinson, as the visitors pushed for a first half equaliser, Mollie Lambert striking the upright, whilst Lucy Watson headed over.

Leading at the break, the Reds came out of the blocks quick at the start of the second half, Boye-Hlorkah firing wide in the opening exchanges; despite pressure from the hosts though, that was about it, Forest holding out for another three points as they continue their push to the top five.

Nottingham Forest – Emily Batty, Jessica Stapleton (Kirsty Smith, 27), Georgia Brougham (capt), Amy Rodgers, Ebba Hed, Rachel Rowe (Tove Almqvist, 88), Joy Omewa (Aimee Claypole, 64), Cerys Brown, Leanne Kiernan (Deanne Rose, 88), Alana Murphy, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (Charlie Wellings, 88)

In the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands, Adam Dunleavy’s Notts County side fell to a 4-2 home defeat to Leafield Athletic, despite taking an early lead through Lily Stevenson’s effort inside the opening minute, and closing the afternoon’s proceedings with Shoniqua Barnes scoring with six to go.

Leafield though, they led 3-1 at the break, Leonie Joyce at the double alongside one from Lucy Davies; Joyce completed her hat-trick midway through the second half to take her tally to eight in her last nine outings, and thirteen for the season for a side pushing for the runners-up spot.

Andi Bell’s Mansfield Town side dropped points in their pursuit of the top three in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Premier Division, being held to a 1-1 draw away to Gainsborough Trinity, Katie Platts netting for the visitors.

Nottingham Trent University kept their noses in front in the EMWRFL Division One Central title race, Mia Bradley notching a double hat-trick in their 7-0 win away to Melbourne Dynamo, Elizabeth Bedford the other.

Meanwhile, third place Asfordby Amateurs won 3-0 away to lowly Sherwood, all goals coming in the opening twenty-five minutes, and Basford United’s resurgence continued following a 4-0 win at West Bridgford Colts, Charlotte Duthie-Thomspon at the double alongside efforts from Ava Hardeman and Anya Wall.

In midweek, Basford were away to second place University of Nottingham, and the game ended honours even with the two sides sharing ten goals, the visitors’ Olivia Wheatcroft having a hand in four of their five goals, a goal and three assists, Isabel Wretham and Duthie-Thompson also amongst the scorers.

The one game played in the EMWRFL Division One North involving a Notts-based side finished goalless between Belper Town and Notts County Development.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFC more celebrations as Forest win again.