Forest Women returned to FA Women’s National League action on Sunday with a convincing victory against Stoke City Women at Emerys Stadium.
The Reds were heading into the fixture on a six-game unbeaten run and were victorious last time out, beating Norton & Stockton Ancients 3-1 in the League Cup.
Head Coach Andy Cook made seven changes to highlight the depth of squad at his disposal, with Emily Batty returning in goal and Gianna Mitchell starting on the wing.
Amy West and Mitchell had chances for The Reds inside the opening 10 minutes as Cook’s side started strongly in difficult conditions, before the hosts began to settle into the game but couldn’t trouble Batty with a couple of efforts drifting wide.
Forest looked to have made the breakthrough on 33 minutes as Sophie Domingo had the ball in the back of the net, only to be denied by the offside flag.
However, The Reds were not to be kept out for much longer as a quick-fire double before the break had Forest in control of the fixture. Defender Charlotte Steggles rose highest to head Becky Anderson’s cross into the back of the net, and just three minutes later Domingo added a second by finishing calmly past the goalkeeper from inside the Stoke penalty area.
Half time: Stoke City 0-2 Forest Women
Steggles looked to continue her fine goalscoring run by hitting a powerful strike towards goal on the hour mark, only for the ball to flash just wide of the post. Yasmin Mosby, Mackenzie Smith and Naomi Powell were then introduced midway through the second period as Cook freshened up his side.
With 15 minutes remaining, Mosby and Mackenzie combined for the third to put the game out of sight. Mackenzie’s cross was met by the head of Mosby who guided the ball past the goalkeeper to claim her second goal in as many games.
Mosby wasn’t done there. The forward added the fourth with a Goal of the Season contender, hitting a superb free-kick from all of 35 yards to double her tally for the afternoon.
Forest added a fifth late on as another substitute, Rosetta Taylor, saw her header denied by the woodwork, only for Liv Cook to be on hand to tuck the loose ball away.
Another convincing victory for Cook’s side, with The Reds tightening their grip on second place and sit just three points behind Wolves with a game in hand ahead of Sunday’s FA Women’s Vitality FA Cup clash against Oughtibridge War Memorial Women.
Full time: Stoke City 0-5 Forest Women