The Tynesiders have invested heavily in their squad over the summer and they had too much for a Nottingham Forest side that have their own ambitions to progress in the coming years.
It was clear from the off just how much quality both sides have brought in over the summer, with Nottingham Forest debuting eight new signings in their starting line-up and Newcastle United fielding three.
After an intense opening five minutes, the visitors were the ones to break the deadlock as Emily Murphy turned in a pinpoint corner.
A few minutes later, it was Murphy who again found a gap in the Nottingham Forest defence but this time, she played the ball to Emma Kelly who fired straight at Emily Batty.
Nottingham Forest’s first real chance of the game came through new signing Deanne Rose after a lightning run down the right-wing. She found fellow new signing Aimee Claypole in the box but the awkward angle resulted in the ball going wide of the mark.
Murphy and Rose continued to be constant threats in-front of goal throughout the first half. The latter ran nearly the full length of the pitch to try and net the equaliser. The Canadian international then laid the ball off to Freya Thomas who sent a rocket of a strike just wide.
Newcastle United doubled their lead in the 26th minute after a lovely run by Shania Hayles. Her initial cross into the box was deflected but Molly Pike was on hand to tap the ball home on her debut.
Nottingham Forest started the second half strongly with Deadline Day addition Nahikari García coming into the game and attempting to set up Rose with a lovely through-ball, but unfortunately it came to nothing.
However, it wasn’t long until Nottingham Forest scored the first goal of their Barclays WSL2 campaign. A well-taken corner by Chloe Mustaki found Kirsty Smith in the box and she headed the ball home from close range.
Around the hour, Nottingham Forest found themselves looking more confident but it was Newcastle United who had the best chance to extend their lead from a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box. Beth Lumsden’s curling shot cleared the wall but was delivered straight into the hands of the keeper.
Both sides created half-chances in the final 15 minutes but there were no further goals as Newcastle United claimed a 2-1 opening day victory.
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