Notts County 0–2 Nottingham Forest
International Club Friendly | 18 July 2026

Nottingham Forest continued their pre-season preparations with a comfortable 2–0 victory over local rivals Notts County at Meadow Lane. The cross‑city derby, played in front of a packed house, provided an early‑season test for both sides, with Forest's superior quality shining through.

Match Overview

The Premier League side dominated possession from the first whistle, moving the ball with purpose. Forest opened the scoring in the 18th minute when a sweeping move ended with a low cross being turned in at the near post. Notts County, competitive throughout the first half, had a golden chance to equalise just before the break but saw their striker's header saved brilliantly by the Forest goalkeeper.

Forest doubled their lead midway through the second half. A clever free‑kick routine caught the County defence napping, leaving the attacker with a simple finish from six yards. The home side pushed forward in the closing stages but lacked the cutting edge to reduce the deficit.

Tactical Story

• Forest's midfield control was evident; their pivot dictated the tempo, rarely allowing County to settle.
• Notts County's pressing was energetic but uncoordinated, leaving gaps that Forest exploited with quick switches of play.
• Set‑piece creativity was a highlight for Forest – their second goal underlined the value of rehearsed routines.

Standout Players

Forest's new signing in central midfield impressed with his range of passing and work rate. Notts County's captain at centre‑back put in a solid shift, making several important interceptions and blocks.

Season Impact

For Nottingham Forest, the performance offered valuable minutes for first‑team players returning from off‑season breaks. Notts County, preparing for League Two, will take encouragement from their defensive resilience for long spells but will need to sharpen their attacking play.