Nottingham Forest clinched fourth place in the eight‑team NSL, earning a place in the play‑offs. They will meet regular‑season leaders Loughborough Lightning in the minor semi‑final, a team that finished 11‑3. Forest’s defensive duo of Tash Pavelin and Jayda Pechova – nicknamed “Pavlova” – will anchor the side against a formidable opponent. A victory would mark the club’s first ever final appearance.

Both players received England Vitality Roses call‑ups in late May, putting them on the radar for next month’s Commonwealth Games. Pavelin, 28, described the simultaneous emails as a “tonic” amid a hectic schedule, while 21‑year‑old Pechova reflected on a turbulent year that saw her drop from the senior squad, a scholarship collapse and a 300‑mile commute to finish her sports‑management degree. gaining league respect.

Coach Chelsea Pitman, a 2018 Commonwealth gold medallist, has steered Pechova back into England’s plans by focusing on high‑performance habits and video analysis. Forest’s semi‑final win would propel them into a ‘major’ semi‑final against either Manchester Thunder or London Pulse, with the Grand Final slated for 20 June at Manchester’s Co‑op Live. solidifying their elite status. The pair’s form will be decisive.