Forest Women travelled to the Pirelli Stadium for their first FA Women’s National League Cup final since 2011, as they faced Watford.
Andy Cook made two changes to the starting eleven that drew at Brighouse Town with Yasmin Mosby and Hayley James replaced Arryana Daniels and Georgia Hewitt.
Emily Batty was forced into an early save as Gemma Davidson long-ranged effort was parried wide for a corner. Davidson then headed home from the resulting corner as Watford took the lead in the 2nd minute.
The Reds responded well with James working a number of opportunities her side from the left-hand side, however it was The Hornets who had the best opportunity to score as a dangerous cross into the box was shot wide of the Forest goal.
17 minutes in and Mai Moncaster found herself through on goal, the number 8 drifted past the keeper but her effort fired against the Watford bar.
In the 36th minute Watford saw a good move result in an effort being headed wide.
Sophie Domingo almost had Forest’s equaliser as her strike smashed against the woodwork with 5 minutes remaining in the opening 45.
The Reds were back on level terms on 42 minutes as Charlotte Greengrass fired home her 22nd goal of the season.
Half-time: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Watford
The Reds started the second half as Moncaster, Greengrass and James all found their efforts blocked by a resilient Watford defence.
Forest were rewarded for their fast start after the break as Becky Anderson fired in an excellent strike which hit the opposition bar. The resulting rebound fell to Yasmin Mosby who made no mistake to slot home in the 52nd minute.
Andy Cook’s side continued to push with Moncaster and Domingo both coming close in the following 10-minute period.
It was Watford who scored the fourth goal of the afternoon as a free kick smashed against the bar and Poppy Wilson scored from the rebound in the 64th minute.
Andy Cook looked to his bench in the 67th minute as Arryana Daniels and Gianna Mitchell were introduced into the action with Yasmin Mosby and Sophie Domingo made way.
With a quarter of an hour remaining in the cup tie, Niamh Reynolds replaced Mai Moncaster.
James almost scored Forest’s third of the afternoon as Amy West brilliantly picked out the defender at the back post; the Watford ‘keeper saved well.
A dangerous corner ball by Watford that was eventually claimed by Batty was the final moment of action in the 90 as both sides headed for extra time.
Full-time: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Watford
Six minutes into extra time and Watford were through on goal; Batty made an excellent save to keep the score at 2-2.
With the clock passing 100 minutes Charlotte Steggles almost found James in space at the far post as The Reds went into half-time level.
Half-time (extra time): Nottingham Forest 2-2 Watford
Andy Cook was forced into an early change as Hayley James could not continue; Georgia Hewitt replaced the defender on 109 minutes.
The Reds re-took the lead in the 115th minute as Anderson played an excellent ball to substitute Mitchell who slotted home Forest’s third goal of the cup final.
With a minute remaining of the final Niamh Reynolds made way for Naomi Powell.
Full-time (AET): Nottingham Forest 3-2 Watford
Forest Women have won their first FA Women’s National League Cup for the first time in their history thanks to goals from strikers Charlotte Greengrass, Yasmin Mosby and Gianna Mitchell.