**Nottingham Forest and Stoke City battled it out on the turf of Bescot Stadium in the FA Women’s National League Cup Final. A late sealer from Melissa Johnson topped off a first half brace from Charlie Wellings and was enough to see Forest through as Cup Champions.**
The Lineups
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**NFO:** Batty; Harkin, Johnson, Longhurst, Domingo, M.Johnson, Wellings, Olding, Green, Thomas, Chandarana
**STO:** Bracewell; Molinari, Cook, Suttie, Kivel, Reavill, Holder, Stamps, Ravening, Cole, Priestley
HolderThe Action
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The contest was hard fought in the opening stages, as both sides battled it out to break the deadlock.
Nottingham Forest broke the deadlock in the 28th minute as Nat Johnson played the ball on to Charlie Wellings, who slotted home her strike into the bottom corner.
The floodgates opened soon after as Wellings tested her luck from distance, sending a booming strike into the top corner.
[Embed from Getty Images](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2206384782)
Sophie Domingo was eager to add a third as the two teams got stuck into the second half, driving toward goal before sending an ambitious strike straight into the hands of Lauren Bracewell.
Stoke City were eager to draw one back in the 60th minute as Evie Priestly placed a strike toward the bottom corner, only to be palmed away by an outstretched Emily Batty between the posts.
Mollie Green lined up for a direct free kick from distance, striking the ball with ambition toward the top corner. A strong hand from Bracewell tipped the ball over the bar.
Stoke City g0t themselves back in the contest in the 71st minute as super-sub Tamara Wilcock headed home a brilliant finish with her first touch off the bench.
However, the game was put to bed in the 79th minute as a brilliant passage of play from Forest found the back of the net. Caragh Hamilton found Melissa Johnson in space, who thumped home a strong finish into the back of the net.
The final whistle blew at Bescot Stadium, crowning Nottingham Forest as the FA Women’s National League Cup Final Champions.