Reds midfielder Rachel Brown scored her first career hat-trick on her 21st birthday to guide Nottingham Forest Women to a 3-2 win over Middlesbrough Women.
The Reds got back to winning ways at Eastwood after two league games without a win and Andy Cook named Hayley James in the starting eleven for her first appearance of the season following a broken ankle.
Naomi Powell also came into the side for Jade Arber following the 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion over two weeks ago and new signing Lagan Makin was named on the bench.
Forest dominated the first half, pinning Middlesbrough into their own box for large spells of the opening exchange, but it took nearly 20 minutes to register their first shot on target. Becky Anderson played a one-two with Rosie Axten and volleyed at goal but her attempt was saved.
A minute later, Freya Thomas picked up the ball 35 yards out and turned past two defenders. She skipped over a challenge, then knocked the ball past another two Middlesbrough players before being taken down.
Anderson took the free kick and smashed the ball against the upright from 30 yards out but thankfully Brown was the first to arrive on the scene, tapping in to give the Reds a deserved lead.
However, the lead did not last long as Middlesbrough were level just four minutes later. A mix up at the back allowed a ball to bounce in the area and Elysia Boddy managed to squeeze through and put the ball in the net.
Just before half time, Brown restored the lead. Charlotte Greengrass, on for the injured LJ O’Neill, picked up a good pass from Thomas on the left hand side before the full-back whipped the ball into the box and Brown was rushing in to finish brilliantly for her second of the game.
The second half started well for Forest. Greengrass rose highest to meet Anderson’s floated free kick but her header went wide before Brown’s header forced the Middlesbrough goalkeeper into a good save.
In the 70th minute, Brown took her chance to round off the hat-trick. Anderson played a tremendous round the corner pass which sent Brown through on goal and with a deft finish she rolled the ball into the corner to wrap the game up.
To their credit, Middlesbrough rallied and 16 year old Felicity Jones managed to pull one back for the visitors ten minutes from time. The final period of the game was a nervous affair for the Reds but with each long ball forward the Forest defence stood firm.
With seconds ticking away, Middlesbrough piled forward but that gave Forest space to counter. Thomas was sent through and went around the goalkeeper to score but she was denied by the offside flag.
The full time whistle was blown and the Forest squad ran to celebrate with the hat-trick hero, Brown. The win keeps Cook’s side 5th in the table but two points closer to the top of the league.
Head Coach's View
“We made it hard work for ourselves in the final ten minutes. Full credit to Middlesbrough, they’re a young side, enthusiastic, full of bite and energy. We said that was the kind of performance Middlesbrough would bring. We were aware of what they would bring and they made it a real battle for us. So, we are happy to get the three points.
I think looking at the way the game went we could have had more, probably should have had more but Middlesbrough did what they had to do to get back into the game and ultimately that is how it goes at this level. Full credit to Rachel Brown today, superb performance and she just keeps getting better and better. Brownie’s finishing today was great and it was her 21st birthday today as well so what a way to celebrate that.”
“Stoke is going to be another tough game. They are always physical, they’ve got a couple of good players. I know of Allie Hall really well and I think she has come back from an injury recently so we will be fully engaged and ready for that this week. We have got a great week of training prepared for that game. But we can’t wait, hopefully we can take that momentum from the game today and the three points and take that into the next game. But we are under no illusions it is going to be a really tough game against Stoke.”
Next up for Forest is a trip to Stoke City on Sunday 31st October at 2pm. The Reds return to Eastwood on Thursday November 18th, kick-off 7.45pm with tickets on sale now.