FAWNL Cup Final build up

Photography by Liam Sheasby

Nottingham Forest Women Vs Stoke City Women

This Saturday the 22nd March will see two highflying teams square off in the FAWNL Cup Final at the Poundland Bescot Stadium. Both Nottingham Forest Women, who currently sit top of the Northern Premier Division, and Stoke City Women, who find themselves in 3rd place will have their eyes on the prize. With only one team able to get their hands on the silverware, this is sure to be a highly exciting fixture.

Forest will fancy themselves as the favourites in this fixture having claimed 6 points off Stoke in the league already this season whilst scoring an impressive tally of 7 goals. Two results that will without a doubt, give the league leaders a large dose of confidence ahead of Saturday.

It would be silly to underestimate Stoke however as their route to the final has seen them claim some impressive victories against the likes of Burnley FC Women, Wolverhampton Wanderers Women and Liverpool Feds Women. Having only conceded two goals in the cup, their solid defence is likely to frustrate a goal-hungry Forest side.

One player to look out for is Forest striker and Jamaica international Melissa Johnson, whose blistering pace and eye for goal is enough to terrify any defence. Forest number 14, Charlie Wellings, also will be a big attacking threat and her footwork could be the key to unlocking Stoke’s defence. We also cannot forget ex-WSL and West Ham United player Kate Longhurst whose composure in the middle will be key for The Reds.

As for Stoke’s players to watch, we have to mention their striker and top goalscorer Millie Ravening whose excellent free-kick against Burnley fired her side into the semi-finals of the competition. When she is near, no goal is safe and Forest will need to make sure to watch her closely. Former Forest defender Olivia Cook, will also be a player to keep an eye on as she will try to claim victory against her old side. Her tenacity and tough tackles are sure to gives Forest’s forwards something to think about!

As we head into Saturday, the excitement is building for what is set to be an excellent advert for FAWNL football!