A Charlie Wellings brace guides Forest to victory in the East Midlands derby at The City Ground.
The Reds hosted their local rivals Derby County in the Northern Premier Division looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Head coach Carly Davies made one change to the eleven that started against Burnley as Sophie Haywood made her first start for the Club since joining in January.
Forest started on the front foot with Mollie Green coming close with a curling effort towards goal which was parried away from danger by Lucy Jones.
In the following five minutes there was a flurry of chances as Mel Johnson saw her effort saved and Kate Longhurst’s volley drifted just wide of the post.
Another good opportunity came Forest’s way when Mel Johnson chased a ball back to the keeper, only to see her challenge deflect away from goal.
With clash now approaching the half hour mark, Millie Chandarana pounced on another loose ball and sent Mel Johnson in behind the Derby defence, but the covering defender did well to clear from danger.
Forest were awarded a penalty kick moments after, following a handball in the box, with top scorer Charlie Wellings stepping up and calmly finding the bottom corner to give the hosts a deserved lead.
The Reds continued to pressure the Derby backline in the search for another goal before the break as Mel Johnson, through on goal, had two attempts well saved by Jones before the loose ball fell to Wellings whose strike was blocked on the line.
HALF-TIME: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Derby County
Ten minutes into the second half and Forest doubled their advantage when Chandarana won possession back in the final third, then finding Mel Johnson who freed Wellings into space in the area to then hit the back of the net with an excellent strike.
Carly Davies looked to freshen things up with an hour on the clock as a triple substitution saw Sophie Domingo, Holly Manders and Caragh Hamilton enter the action.
Forest pushed for a third goal at The City Ground with both Mel Johnson and Mollie Green having opportunities to extend the lead, with both going amiss.
Into the final ten minutes of the clash as Forest maintained their dominance on Trentside and final changes made saw Holly Turner and Megan Bell introduced late on.
FULL-TIME: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Derby County
Next up at The City Ground is Forest Women’s league fixture against Hull City with tickets available online here.