Thomas, deployed at right-back, played 61 minutes as Forest fought valiantly to pull off a 2-1 comeback win over Durham on Sunday afternoon with Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Georgia Brougham the goalscorers.
It means after three games, the Reds sit sixth with five points as their undefeated run continues.
In the WSL, Layzell started her second successive game for Everton and was a key figure in their backline, helping them maintain a clean sheet in their 1-0 win at West Ham.
Watch full matches & exclusive content with CITY+
The Toffees climb to fifth in the table after a late Laia Codina own goal proved the difference in an evenly contested match-up.
Also on Sunday afternoon, Lily Murphy got her first start for Aston Villa.
The 20-year-old operated down the right-hand side against Brighton & Hove Albion for 61 minutes as she continues to gain valuable minutes in the top-flight.
It was a tough afternoon for the Villans as the Seagulls dominated the game, registering 25 shots to Villa’s two.
Gabby George’s goal for the hosts on 31 minutes was the only moment that separated the two sides until the 89th minute when Lynn Wilms equalised for Villa with their only shot on target to see it end 1-1.
Eve Annets, on loan at Hibernian, returned from Poland and the U20 World Cup just before their game against Montrose Ladies following England’s Round of 16 defeat to Nigeria on Thursday.
As a result, the shot stopper was not named in their squad as the SWPL side won 6-1.
