sunday, november 10, 2024
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Welcome back, Steven.
I know Andy Cook and the coaching staff have been working hard this week to prepare the players for this afternoon’s encounter.
Good afternoon and welcome back to The Nest for our FA WNL fixture against Actonians.
Actonians only visited The Nest last month when we defeated them 2-0 in the FA WNL Cup. Today they return as we battle out once again but, in the league, with three points on offer. Actonians are currently occupying top spot in the division, but today is the perfect opportunity to make a statement to all the teams around us within the division. I know Andy Cook and the coaching staff have been working hard this week to prepare the players for this afternoon’s encounter.
Since we last played a fixture at The Nest we have welcomed new signing Ellie Bishop into the squad. Ellie has joined from Southern Premier side Watford and she is no stranger to many Canary fans, having progressed through our player pathway, going on to win Young Player of the Season in 2022, before departing for Tottenham Under-21s. Re-attracting our home grown talent back to Norwich is a key component to our recruitment strategy and we believe that Ellie will be in the best environment with ourselves to continue developing as an athlete, and ultimately strengthen our promotion push.
We were delighted to see Eloise Morran feature in all three fixtures in the latest Scotland Under-19s fixture camp as both Eloise and Scotland build towards the upcoming European championship round one qualifiers in late November that will take place in Hungary.
Over the last two weeks we have seen various players interact with our passionate football community through half term soccer schools and signing sessions held at our club stores. This afternoon we also welcome participants from the Girls’ United soccer school that took place earlier and participants from our regional development programme as this afternoon’s mascots.
I hope you all enjoy today’s game and we look forward to welcoming you all back for our FA Cup second round fixture against Leafield Athletic on Sunday, November 24, which will kick off at a slightly earlier time of 1pm.
OTBC.
Andy Cook
Another clean sheet.
That’s now the eighth of the season, so fantastic for her and fantastic for the group.
Head coach Andy Cook gave an in-depth assessment of Sunday’s win over Cambridge United and talked about what it means to have Captain Megan Todd back in the side.
A big win in the FA Cup last weekend, what did you make of that game?
Very much the FA Cup tie we could have expected, both teams were going at it and Cambridge going down to 10 actually opened up the game even more. They were trying to get the equaliser with a player less and to be honest they were fantastic for it. They really put us under pressure and towards the end they had a couple of chances, as you would expect, so we need to make sure we kill the games off. We had three or four good chances that could have helped us put the game to bed, so we need to have a look at that but a really good cup tie.
We know you’ll be slightly disappointed for Hope Strauss not scoring from the spot, but 1-0 was enough in the end to seal the win.
It’s one of them where the ‘keepers obviously do their homework nowadays in regards to what players have been doing and Hope has been fantastic taking penalties this season and she’ll continue to do that, scoring more and she’ll bounce back. She’s got resilience and she’s constantly working on herself, so everyone is disappointed for her that she couldn’t get that goal, but she was a part of the team that had another clean sheet. That’s now the eighth of the season, so fantastic for her and fantastic for the group.
In our many cup ties this season we are yet to be pushed to extra time and penalties, but have we been preparing for that scenario?
Yes, on Tuesday last week we went through a full penalty competition and we only had two players miss in the whole thing, so we practise them, especially in the week leading up to a cup game. We’re aware of what it takes and we’re prepared if it did ever get to that.
Megan Todd was back Sunday for her first few minutes of the season, how great was it to see her back amongst the playing squad?
It was a real tactical substitution bringing Tash off for Toddy, so we could then use her as a focal point to try and bring the balls in. There were only two or three headers she needed to make and it’s just a great presence that she has. She’s been in and around the squad and named on the bench a few times and now is in contention to build minutes. It won’t be much to begin with, it will be 10, 20, maybe 30 over the next month or so but that is part of the process of rehab and she’s working well. She took part full in training Thursday last week so she’s getting back to it and I’m really delighted for her. She can now take the captaincy properly, and fair play to Quants (Sarah Quantrill) on Sunday; she doesn’t have to come over and give her the arm band but she did.
Cambridge United 0 Norwich City Women 1
Norwich City Women are through to the second round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup after beating Cambridge United 1-0 away from home.
The only goal of the game came inside the first 15 minutes from Ceri Flye, who netted her second of the 2024/25 campaign.
Ellie Bishop got her first start since re-signing for the Canaries last month and club captain Megan Todd made her return following a knee injury.
It was a high tempo start for both sides in the opening 10 minutes but neither settled into any extended passages of play.
City found their footing soon enough, looking particularly dangerous down the left-hand side with Holly Kennard on the wing.
The opener came after 15 minutes when Bishop won and took a freekick deep into United’s half, Flye rising highest and heading home.
Following the goal, City continued to push Cambridge high up the pitch, working the left side well with plenty of passes forward.
United came out after the break looking the sharper of the two sides, putting pressure on the City backline.
After regaining some control of the game, Norwich were awarded a penalty after 54 minutes for a handball in the box, which resulted in a red card for Lauren Rouse.
The United number five saw red after the infraction was followed by some choice of words for the referee.
Hope Strauss stepped up but the centre-back had her effort saved from the spot after Sophie Shults got a fingertip to push it on to the post.
United were struggling to test Sarah Quantrill with any of their efforts, all of their set-pieces ended up straight in her hands.
City continued to create chances to extend their lead, but neither Lara Densley or Natasha Snelling could beat Shults for a second.
Substitute Freya Symonds also made a real impact when she was introduced, but it was captain Todd who received the best reception in the 90th minute from the travelling faithful after three months on the sideline.
City ran out the game to take the win and have been drawn at home to Division One Midlands side Leafield Athletic in round two of the competition.
Freya
Feature interview
Shannon Shaw
City forward Shannon Shaw is in the hot seat this weekend in our latest feature interview, where she assesses the last few games, her hat-trick against the Bees and her most recent Halloween outfit.
It was a tough battle against Cambridge United on Sunday, how did you assess that match?
It was a very open game that could have gone either way to be honest! The difference being a great headed goal from Ceri and the grit and determination from the girls to maintain the lead for 70 plus minutes and keep a clean sheet.
You netted a hat-trick against London Bees the other week, how pleased are you personally with that?
In all honesty it has been a while since I scored a hat-trick! But I am absolutely delighted with the three goals despite only
coming away with a draw. Personally, my aim for the season was to get more minutes on the pitch and anything more was a bonus, so it’s a great feeling to be given the opportunity to show what you can do.
Your goalscoring form is on fire at the minute, are you feeling at your best on the pitch?
I have been working on myself a lot in terms of fitness and strength, with a lot of my personal time being spent in the gym. I worked particularly hard during the off-season to get to where I needed to be, and as a result, I am feeling the benefits both mentally and physically and I think that is reflecting in my performance.
PROUD PARTNERS OF NORWICH CITY FC
We’re on a great run in cup competitions and still unbeaten in the league, but we’ve hit a bit of lull in league form, with four consecutive draws. What do you think the key is to finding those three points again?
Ultimately, we just need to focus on our game plan each week and execute it to the best of our ability. This season, other teams see us as a threat, and so they come out with specific game plans to try and defeat us. It’s important to remember that we are still unbeaten, take confidence from this and continue to work hard for each other because we all know what we are capable of.
Mentality is such a big thing in the game, so how do you and the rest of the squad pick yourselves up after a result you’re disappointed with or when things don’t go our way?
As a team, we are great at supporting each other and moving forward week by week. We avoid dwelling on past results since the next game comes around so quickly, and that is where our focus needs to be. Regular workshops with our mindset coach have boosted our confidence and resilience, with a recent focus on overcoming self-doubt.
We’re extremely fortunate to have these resources and a dedicated coaching team that make this possible.
We’ve got Actonians this weekend, a side we have already beaten once - do you think that result will help us pick up a win this Sunday?
I think it’s important to approach every game as if it will be your most challenging, to avoid complacency. Given the recent draws, and the league’s unpredictability anything can
I think it’s important to approach every game as if it will be your most challenging, to avoid complacency.
happen on the day. Of course, there are certain factors that we need to consider; I think Actonian’s were missing a few key players last time and now they will be familiar with our style of play. Still, we should never underestimate an opponent, regardless of our past performance.
Club captain Megan Todd was back on Sunday for her first minutes since her injury, what impact will having her back on the pitch be for the squad?
I’m so happy that Toddy is back on the pitch getting those vital minutes to aid her recovery. We have certainly missed having her on the pitch and her return will be paramount to the success of the squad. She is a natural leader and just brings a different type of energy to the group that I think can give us that extra push we sometimes need.
supporters as well as new faces each week, the fans have been unreal recently with new chants being made and I think I even heard the drum at The Nest recently, so more of that please!
You’ve been voted as our October POTM by the fans - how does that feel and what message would you give to them?
Wow, I’m delighted to have been voted as POTM. It’s an amazing feeling knowing that there are people supporting you, wanting you to do well so, thank you so much! I am extremely grateful for your continued support. It’s honestly so nice to see the regular
Finally, we saw a picture of your Halloween outfit from last week, what was the thought process behind the absolutely brilliant Voldemort outfit? Just a big Harry Potter fan?
Tommo and I are shamelessly big Harry Potter fans, so what better opportunity to dress up as the Dark Lord himself! It was actually her idea, and since we already have the wands from Warner Bros. Studio, it just made sense! Next year’s outfit idea’s pending…
Opposition Overview: Actonians
This weekend we welcome back top-of-the-table Actonians to The Nest in our eighth fixture of the campaign.
Much like the Canaries, our visitors have had a flying start to their season, with five wins, two draws and one loss.
Their only defeat came away to the fortress that is Champion Hill, as the blues lost out 2-0 to Dulwich Hamlet.
Goals haven’t been short for Luis Medina’s side this season either, as one of their wins came in a 9-2 thumping over Chesham United.
One to watch and topscorer Dior Knorr has eight goals to her name so far this campaign.
Get to know...
Jess Barnes Eloise Morran
6
Place of birth
Norwich Position Centre-midfielder
Nickname
El/John
First pair of boots
Nike
Favourite food
Pomegranate
Favourite drink
Appletiser
First choice of snack
Banana
Last thing you do in the dressing room before a match
Three twists and a tuck jump
Pre-match song of choice
Can’t hold us by Macklemore
Who do you sit next to on the bus to away games
Lauren Hailes or Lara Densley
Last concert you went to
Caity Baiser
Last holiday destination you visited
Monaco
Place of birth
Norwich Position Centre-back
Nickname
Barnsey
First pair of boots
Nike Magista Obra I
Favourite food
Roast dinner
Favourite drink
Milkshake
First choice of snack
Crisps
Last thing you do in the dressing room before a match
Make sure socks are the same length and taped
Pre-match song of choice
Cupid shuffle by Cupid
Who do you sit next to on the bus to away games
Sienna Booty
Favourite football memory
First tour with Norwich academy, age eight
Last holiday destination you visited
Turkey
Norwich City Women’s Shannon Shaw has been voted as the Sekura.id Player of the Month for October.
The striker has been in fantastic form this month, netting five times in the space of just two games, picking up a hat-trick and earning the Canaries a point in an important league game against London Bees.
On winning the award, Shaw said: “Wow, I’m delighted to have been voted as POTM.
“It’s an amazing feeling knowing that there are people supporting you, wanting you to do well so, thank you so much!”
We’re dedicated to building a healthier nation through our network of hospitals and fitness and wellbeing centres across the UK. For supporters of Norwich City FC you’ll find everything you need at Norwich Fitness & Wellbeing Centre – cutting edge equipment, supportive personal trainers, swimming pool and a full range of classes.
Eloise Morran featured prominently in all three matches for Scotland Women’s Under-19s at the 2024 Slovenia Nations Cup.
In the opening game, Gary Doctor’s squad faced Croatia, where Morran started and contributed 75 minutes to a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
Next, Scotland took on Romania, with Morran playing 45 minutes in a narrow 1-0 defeat. In the final fixture, she saw 25 minutes of action against hosts Slovenia, in a challenging match that concluded with a 1-0 loss.
HEAd cOAcH: Andy cOOk
Lara densLey
Freya symonds
Lauren HaILes
Issy moore
Lauren TomLInson
sHannon sHaw
oLIvIa Cook
jess barnes
HoPe sTrauss
sIenna booTy
eLLa PoweLL
kaTIe
HoLLy kennard