Carly Davies’ side travelled South to take on Women’s Championship outfit Charlton Athletic in their third pre-season friendly of the season.
It was the hosts that struck early into the contest as a low ball was fired across the box, eventually reaching the forward to calmly slot past Emily Batty in net.
The first Forest opportunity of the match fell to Mel Johnson, following a slick move from Sophie Domingo to play Johnson through on goal, the latter dragged her shot wide.
The Addicks doubled their lead when a mistake clearing a corner fell straight to Charlton’s striker who made no mistake to fire into the bottom right corner.
Forest pulled one back when Freya Thomas played Mel Johnson into space down the left side; the striker flashed a ball across the 6-yard box which the defender deflected into the back of her own net.
The Reds were awarded a free kick out wide, with Mollie Green’s resulting set piece picking out Nat Johnson in the area who saw her header saved.
HALF TIME: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Forest started the second half brightly when substitute Hayley James played Mel Johnson into space with an excellent through ball, Johnson then picked out Amy Sims in the box to strike an effort at goal which was saved down low.
A smart break from The Reds saw Nat Johnson’s ball into space cleverly left by striker Johnson to set James free down the wing to fire a brilliant ball into the danger area, with only a Charlton deflection denying a trialist a simple finish at the back post.
A lovely piece of play from striker Johnson as a deft touch took it past the defender, but her shot was just off target at the near post.
Another good cross into the area from James, again picking out a trialist, only to be stopped by a commanding block from the defender.
Mel Johnson burst into space down the right side and whipped a dangerous ball towards goal, with a trialist meeting the cross and scoring, but The Reds were denied the equaliser when the flag was raised for offside.
As Forest’s appeals for a penalty were waved away, Davies’ side continued to push for a goal with the loose ball reaching James on the edge of the area; her attempt was parried away by the keeper.
FULL TIME: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Nottingham Forest