The Women’s FA Cup offers a chance to dream for players and fans of smaller clubs. We are following the journey from the first round proper to the final at Wembley, continuing with photographer Fabio De Paola’s visit to Stoke for their third-round tie with Nottingham Forest
Following their convincing 4-0 victory over Wolves in the second round, Nottingham Forest faced fellow third-tier side Stoke City at Emerys Stadium in the next round. Though Stoke have historically had the upper hand, winning six of their 12 previous meetings, Forest triumphed 3-2 in their most recent Women’s National League – Northern Premier Division game in October 2020. With Stoke scoring five goals in each of their last two games and Forest scoring four in each of their last three, it was unlikely that the game would end goalless.
A women’s team representing Stoke City were formed in the summer of 2001 and they’ve been climbing the leagues ever since. They were promoted to the Women’s National League Northern Premier Division in 2013 after winning the Midland Women’s Combination league championship as well as the League Cup and County Cup. Their opponents, Nottingham Forest Women’s Football Club, were founded in 1990 and have been one of the most historic clubs in women’s football. Largely operated by volunteer administration and coaching staff, they has been able to capitalise on the local support in Nottinghamshire to maintain its status within competitive women’s football having had years of recognition and club honours spanning over almost three decades.
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