How Nottingham Forest Women have perfect platform to build on for 2022/23 season

Nottingham Forest Women might have finished the season with two pieces of silverware, but for head coach Andy Cook there is still a slight sense of frustration.

The Reds beat AFC Wimbledon to lift the FA Women’s National League Plate and thumped Mansfield Town 10-1 in the FA Nottinghamshire County Cup final. There is plenty to be positive about.

There is also plenty to build on. For Cook, falling short of promotion with a fifth-placed finish in the FA Women’s National League North is a motivating force ready for the 2022/23 campaign.

“We’re a bit frustrated with where we finished in the league,” he said. "That’s something we’re all very keen to put right next season. The successes are great, winning trophies is brilliant. We’re especially proud of the Plate final.

“But the league is the bread and butter of what you do, and you want to finish as high as you can. That’s something we’re all really disappointed with, that we didn’t finish as high as we could have done. The potential of the squad is good, and we didn’t really reach our potential in the league this season.

“But the cups are fantastic. With all the investment and hours you put into it, silverware is the thing that justifies why you do it. It’s why you get into it.

“Ultimately, there can only be one or two winners in a season, only a few names on trophies - and Nottingham Forest is one of them. We’re really proud of that.

“It’s something we want more of next season. The frustrations are there, but the platform to build on is something we believe we can harness in the off-season. We want to make sure that when we come back in July, we’re as ready as we can be for next season.”

Cook’s side have been part of a memorable 2021/22 for the whole club. There has been a