Nottingham Forest Women plan to ‘hit ground running’ in Championship

Nottingham Forest Women have already begun preparations for Championship football after completing a league and cup double on Sunday, according to head coach Carly Davies.

Forest claimed the FA Women’s Northern Premier Division title – and promotion to the second tier – with a resounding 7-2 victory over West Brom at the City Ground, having already secured the National League Cup in March.

Davies, who joined the club at the start of the 2023-24 season, told BBC Radio Nottingham that competing at national level for the first time will hold no fears.

“It’s been in the making for the two years we’ve been in this process – our mantra’s always been ‘Championship-ready’,” she said.

“We’ve been working above and beyond since we started on our journey so that, when we did achieve our goal, we know we’re ready to go and we’re not chasing our tails.

“We now look ahead to recruitment, getting the right players in the building and we’ll hit the ground running from the start of next season.”

Despite falling behind against West Brom, Forest struck back through a Charlie Wellings penalty and Sophie Domingo gave them the lead before Mel Johnson blitzed the Baggies with four goals in the second half, broken up by a Holly Manders strike.

“This group are resilient, there was a calmness in them when the (West Brom) goal went in and what a response,” Davies added. “We know we’re always going to create chances and score goals.

“Mel’s probably the most relaxed person in front of goal, almost horizontal at times – that’s what makes her so good. She scores chances that she shouldn’t have the audacity to score.”