Nottingham Forest Paint the East Midlands Red in Derby Day Win.

Nottingham Forest Women secured a 2-0 victory over Derby County Women in an intense encounter. Charlie Wellings opened the scoring with a first-half penalty, and doubled her tally in the second half to put Forest in control. Despite Derby’s efforts, Forest’s pressure proved too much, and they held on for the win.

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The game started with high intensity as Forest looked to assert dominance early on. In the fourth minute, Charlie Wellings came close to opening the scoring, but her effort lacked the power to beat Derby’s goalkeepers Jones at the near post.

Forest continued to press, earning a free kick in the 8th minute at the edge of the penalty box. Olding delivered a precise ball to Longhurst, who directed her effort just wide of the near post, missing a crucial opportunity to break the deadlock.

Derby responded within the 20th minute, winning a corner taken by Dalton. The inswinging delivery threatened the Forest defence but was swiftly cleared by Nat Johnson, ensuring the score remained level.

The Reds earned a corner of their own in the 22nd minute, with Wellings standing to take. Her right-footed effort curved dangerously towards the goal, but Jones was well-positioned to gather the ball safely and relive the visitors.

The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute when Forest were awarded a penalty for a handball inside the box. Wellings became the hero, confidently powering the ball into the bottom corner, giving Forest a much-needed lead.

Derby sought a quick response and won a free kick in the 36th minute, swung into the box by Jackson. However, the delivery sailed wide, failing to trouble Batty in the Forest goal.

In the 41st minute, Mel Johnson was played in behind the Derby defense, with her first two efforts being deflected back into the box. The ball then fell to Wellings, whose shot was dramatically blocked on the line, denying Forest a second goal before the break.

HALF TIME: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Derby County

Charlie Wellings struck once again in the 56th minute to double her tally for the game, putting her side in a commanding position. The goal came from a brilliant piece of pressing by Chandarana, who won the ball high up the pitch before sliding it through to Wellings. The striker made no mistake, sending a clinical left-footed strike into the back of the net.

Shortly after, a series of substitutions saw Wellings, Chandarana, and Haywood make way for Hamilton, Manders, and Domingo.

In the 59th minute, Domingo delivered a dangerous cross into the box, but Melissa Johnson’s shot went wide of the near post.

The pressure continued to build, and in the 63rd minute, Mollie Green came close with a powerful effort that skimmed just over the crossbar, keeping the opposition on edge.

Derby substitute Becky Hogg unleashed a long-range effort that took a deflection and went behind for a corner. From the resulting set-piece, Kate Oakley came close to nodding the ball in but just couldn’t reach it.

In the end, Forest’s dominant performance secured a well-deserved 2-0 win over Derby County. With two goals from Wellings, they remain in strong form ahead of their upcoming challenge. Forest now turn their attention to Saturday’s FAWNL Cup final, where they will face Stoke City in what promises to be an exciting clash for silverware.