Nottingham Forest fell to a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Watford in a tense, nail-biting contest at Stadium MK in the FA Women's National League play-off final - and miss out on promotion to the Championship.
Both teams came into the fixture full of confidence after finishing top of their respective leagues, but only one could claim the overall prize and promotion to the second tier. If their previous meeting in the FA Women’s National League Cup final was anything to go by, a match Forest won 3-2 in extra-time, the 3,007 supporters watching on were in for another close affair.
Watford started the better side, dominating possession and carving out some close opportunities. Their early pressure paid off just before the 20-minute mark as a looped cross was headed in by Poppy Wilson.
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It came as a sucker-punch blow for Forest as they’d just started to pick up rhythm after a tough start to proceedings. However, the slow start didn’t set them too far back as Andy Cook’s side searched for an equaliser.
They came close to levelling the scoreline following a well-worked counter-attack as Sophie Domingo got a shot away but there was no real power behind the shot and it was pushed behind by Watford keeper Jacqueline Goldsmid.
Charlotte Greengrass won a free-kick in a dangerous area as she looked to skip through the sea of yellow shirts before she was eventually brought down. It was a huge opportunity for Rebecca Anderson as she stood over the ball, her attempt looked destined for the top corner but it dipped marginally wide of the post.
The half-time whistle eventually blew and Watford held the advantage. Forest were by no means down and out, but for all of their dominance in the latter stages of the first half, they were severely lacking that end product.
A fast, positive start to the second 45 was needed from those in Red to ensure Watford didn’t claim another and fire their way into the Championship. Forest once again came agonisingly close before the hour mark.
Some positive build-up play down the left resulted in a loose ball in the box but Yasmin Mosby couldn’t quite get anything on it and it went out for a goal-kick. For Forest, with every player they pushed forward - they left themselves exposed at the back.
Watford looked to capitalise and with every attack looked like they could double their advantage. One effort was cleared off the line and one found the back of the net before the offside flag was fortunately raised.
There was confusion among the crowd as the goal song played, stopped and then played again before it was eventually cut. There was a huge sigh of relief from the Forest bench as they were still in contention - but the warning signs were there and the Hornets very nearly proved just how quickly they could snatch the hope from their opponent’s hands.
Stadium MK held it's breath on the 70-minute mark as Amy West unleashed an effort from the edge of the area. Once again, it didn't quite hit the target and Forest were left to rue another missed opportunity.
As the clock ticked into the final five minutes, confidence was growing among the Watford players and support. Those in the opponent's end of the ground were in full voice and there was a growing sense it just wasn't to be for Forest.
It's a heartbreaking end to what has been a hugely positive campaign for Cook's side. After going toe-to-toe with Wolves for the entirety of the season, it will be heartwrenching not to have something to celebrate at the end of it.
To put it quite simply, it's the fixture that shouldn't be - and will no longer be - from the start of next season. Forest were part of history, in a sense, having contested the last ever FA Women's National League play-off final with wholesale changes to come into force next season.
From the 2023/24 campaign, two teams will be relegated from the Championship and both winners of the Northern and Southern divisions will be promoted. However, that fact won't heal the wounds from today after Forest gave it absolutely everything - but didn't quite have enough to edge over the line.
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