Nottingham Forest Women kickstarted their new season in the WSL2 with a battling, 1-1 draw away at Ipswich Town, whilst Notts County gave a rousing start to their FA Women’s National League Cup campaign, inflicting an 8-2 drubbing on visitors Leicester City U21s.

At Colchester United JobServe Community Stadium, hosts Town, and visiting Forest, played out a goalless first half, the deadlock finally being broken just before the hour mark when Alana Murphy struck for the Reds.

A flurry of late changes for hosting Blues though finally saw them snatch a point when deep into stoppage time, Meg Hornby grabbed an equaliser, and with it a share of the opening day spoils, firing into Emily Batty’s far corner from the edge of the box.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST – Emily Batty, Cerys Brown, Abbie Lafayette, Georgia Brougham, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Ebba Hed, Rachel Rowe, Hannah Coan, Freya Thomas, Tova Espas, Alana Murphy

County meanwhile, they began their FAWNL Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, easing to an 8-2 success against a youthful Leicester City side.

Both Emily Brett and Leah Hardy bagged braces for hosting County, with further goals being added by Shoniqua Barnes, Lily Skeldon, Annie Taylor, and Mia Collins, they netting four in each half.

In the four, Adobe Women’s FA Cup First Qualifying Round games, Basford United and Arnold Eagles progressed to the next round, whilst there were exits for both Sherwood, and Radcliffe Olympic.

Basford eased to a 5-0 home win over Higham Town, Jess Smith’s brace being added to by goals from sisters Olivia and Amelia Wheatcroft, and for Millie Edwards, whilst Arnold progressed following a 6-5 penalty shoot-out win, following a goalless draw, away to Corby Steelers.

Sherwood on the other-hand suffered penalty heartache, losing 5-4 in their shoot-out with visiting Netherton United, again following a goalless draw, and Radcliffe Olympic were beaten 5-1 away to Long Eaton United.

Action also got underway in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Premier Division, Mansfield Town seeing off visiting Nottingham Trent University 2-0, Millie Mellors and Summer Oliff netting in each half.

SJR Worksop also earned a point on the opening day, battling to a 2-2 draw away to Doncaster Rovers Belles, Rachael Bell and Chelsea Bailey with the goals.

The Notts Girls & Ladies League Seniors One season set off in goalscoring fashion, Arnold Eagles Girls Development setting the early standard with an 8-1 drubbing of visitors Gedling Southbank, Eve Munyani and Hannah Turnbull-Tilley both grabbing braces.

The two other games played also saw home wins as Mansfield Town Development won 3-1 at home to Eastwood & Kimberley, and Sherwood Colliery edged a five-goal thriller against visiting Basford United CFC.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFC action during Forest’s draw with Ipswich Town.