Norwich City Women v AFC Sudbury

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notes from flo

Good afternoon and welcome to The Nest today for our final home fixture of the season against AFC Sudbury.

Today I want to start by recognising our club captain Anna Larkins, who will be stepping back from playing football at the end of the season. Anna has shown exceptional commitment, loyalty and outstanding leadership skills throughout her tenure at the club. Her passion for inspiring the local community has been motivating, and I know that as we move forward her presence will be missed by all at the club.

Throughout the season our fans have been a constant catalyst at Carrow Road, The Nest and supporting the team away from home. At home, we have regularly welcomed 300+ fans to The Nest and welcomed a total of over 10,000 fans

to Carrow Road for our fixtures against Cambridge United and Queens Park Rangers. Whether you are a new supporter or an ever-present, I want to echo our thanks for your on-going support.

Although we still have much to play for this season with three league fixtures (including today) and a County Cup final remaining. I want to assure you that we will continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes, as we focus all our efforts into the 2024/25 season to continue making our fans proud.

For the last time this season, please enjoy this afternoon’s fixture at The Nest.

OTBC

coach’s comment

Scott Emmerson reviews last week’s 1-1 draw with Haywards Heath and talks about finding momentum in the final few games to keen an unbeaten season

It’s probably not a result we would have expected, just taking one point away from Haywards Heath. How do you now motivate the squad going into our final games?

The squad is disappointed from the weekend’s result, but it’s a level that we need to then put right and be ready for the next game. This is the

difference between winning titles and not. You need to win when times are ugly, it can’t always be a fantastic performance, so the squad is looking to put things right this weekend.

It’s our last home game this season in front of our fantastic fans. Are you hoping we can finish their season with a win against Sudbury?

The hope would be to put in a performance like we did against Cambridge City. The squad is capable of these type of performances, it’s just a case of having that consistency and to sign off in front of the home and this weekend would be tremendous with a victory over Sudbury.

Finally, is there an end goal for you and the team, ie are your sights set on remaining unbeaten or are you thinking about lifting the cup, or is it more of a case of still taking it one game at a time?

We can still only take it one game at a time, we plan and prepare for each game accordingly, it’s then kept the same since I’ve been with the squad, so the plan is one game at a time, we build from there. It would be nice to complete the season undefeated, that is the challenge to the squad, they know that. They’ve set their sights on that. Its three games to go and in the background, we know we have a County Cup final to compete for. That would be a nice way to finish the season with some silverware, for everyone involved with the club as a reward for all the efforts that they have put in.

Haywards HEaTH TOwn 1

nOrwiCH CiTy

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

HANBURY PARK STADIUM

Norwich City had to settle for a point as they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Haywards Heath in the FAWNL Division One South East.

The Canaries started out as the stronger side, with Rachel Lawrence creating a couple of opportunities in the game’s opening stages.

1

Natasha Snelling would register the game’s first real chance, latching onto Lauren Tomlinson’s long throw before seeing a volley saved.

Haywards Heath created chances of their own, and saw Storm Bailey fire over Sarah Quantrill’s crossbar.

Norwich would have the ball in the back of the net just before the half-hour mark, but Snelling’s effort was ruled out for offside.

And just before the break, Norwich’s best chance of the first half fell to Ellie Smith. Tomlinson’s ball forward eventually fell into Smith’s path, with her volley going just wide of the post.

The second half started with more Norwich chances, with Snelling seeing an effort blocked.

Alice Parker fired an effort from long distance, forcing the Haywards Heath goalkeeper into a smart stop.

The opener almost came to Snelling, as she met an Anna Larkins cross, but saw it go over the crossbar.

Eloise Morran was next to threaten for the Canaries, with her effort hitting the top of the crossbar after Snelling’s nudged pass.

The pressure did pay off for Norwich, as Smith was played through by Katie Knights. Smith made no mistake as she finished calmly into the bottom corner.

But the points would be shared as Haywards Heath found a late lever, with Bailey netting the equaliser.

norwich city women first team squad 2023/24

HOLLY KENNARD MF

MILLIE DAVISS MF 8

REBECCA RUSSELL MF 11

ELLIE SMITH MF

LAUREN TOMLINSON MF 21

KATIE KNIGHTS MF

RACHEL LAWRENCE MF 24

KATHRYN STANLEY Fw

FREYA SYMONDS MF

ELOISE MORRAN MF 20

SHANNON SHAW Fw

LAUREN HAILES MF

OLIVIA COOK Fw

NATASHA

MEGAN TODD Fw

FEaTurE inTErviEw: anna larkins

In her final interview with the club, Anna Larkins previews AFC Sudbury and talks about her plans post-Norwich City

It’s been a really exciting season at the top of the table. Now we’ve arrived at our final home game, how do you assess our campaign as a whole?

I think this season has been unbelievably positive. So far, we’re unbeaten with only three games left, I don’t think anyone would have expected that of us at the start of the season. Despite some of the disappointment with certain results, on the whole we have had our best season for a number of years and being part of a title race is something we can all be proud of.

With Wimbledon only now requiring a point to secure the title, what was the feeling after Sunday’s draw to Haywards Heath?

Mainly just disappointment. Not just because of where it has left us in the title race, but because we were nowhere near our best. We know what we are capable of, and I think we all felt that sense of embarrassment at being so off the mark.

We still have a county cup trophy within reach, so is that now the main focus and keeping us motivated, as well as staying unbeaten?

From the start of the season we have always just wanted to take it a game at a time, and try not to look too far ahead and get caught up in what could happen in the future rather than focussing on the game ahead. It would be great to finish the season unbeaten, and of course to win the County Cup, but we will deal with each hurdle as they come!

You recently announced some big news, you’ve made the decision to take a step back from football and leave the club at the end of the season. What has been the general reaction from your teammates, staff and family?

Everyone has been really understanding and supportive. I’ve spoken to Flo a lot about it over the last few months and hearing about her own experiences of making a similar decision has really helped me feel comfortable in the decision. I think there is some sadness there from my family’s point of view, but they know I wouldn’t have made the decision lightly and hopefully this season has been one to remember for them and a good one for me to bow out on!

What is your plan of action now once the season ends in May?

Rest! I definitely need some time to switch off and hopefully enjoy some sun over summer. I’ve also made the decision to start coaching and have recently started up Wildcats sessions in Rackheath for young girls. So, if anyone knows any girls that might be interested in playing football – let me know!

What are you going to miss most about the club?

There are so many things I am going to miss. My teammates are some of the most talented players and genuinely nice people I have ever played with, and their commitment and dedication has pushed me to become a better person and player. It has been a great honour to be their captain and I cannot wait to see what they achieve in years to come. Also, representing Norwich City Football Club

is something I have always been proud of. Especially in the last couple of years where we have been privileged enough to experience training at top class facilities, have access to professionals such as Will and Gill who look after us so well, and receive no end of support from Flo and the coaching staff. The environment is so vastly different to when I first started out and I wish I was 10 years younger so I could experience it for a bit longer! I’ll never take for granted what I have been lucky enough to experience playing for this club.

Do you have a favourite memory since being with the club?

I think it has to be the first time we played a league fixture at Carrow Road. I never imagined women’s football would get to a point where I would be able to play in front of 7,500 people. Walking the team out and

hearing how loud the crowd were is a feeling I will never forget. I’m so grateful for everyone, past and present, who have been a part of making that happen, and I’m so excited to see what the club can achieve next.

Our final home game of the season sees us host AFC Sudbury, a team now safe from relegation in their first season in Division One South East. How will you approach this game with the squad?

The same as any other game! I always say to the girls in the huddle to just enjoy the game and leave the pitch with no regrets. I think we always play our best when we take the pressure off ourselves and just enjoy playing the sport we all dedicate so much time to. I am in awe of the talent we have within the team, and if we play with confidence in our ability, I have no doubts we’ll come away with a win.

YOU, CAPTAIN

aFC sudBury oVerView

In our final home game of the season, we welcome AFC Sudbury to The Nest.

Also known as the Yellows, Luke Mallet’s side earned themselves promotion from the Premier Division Eastern Region Women’s Football League at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season.

They finished four points clear at the top of the table, winning 16 out of 20 matches. Sudbury celebrated promotion at King’s Lynn Town after beating the Linnets 5-0 away from home.

The club’s top scorers of that campaign were Evie Creaton and new City recruit Holly Kennard, with a combined total of 42 goals.

Sat in tenth place with 16 points, Sudbury have sealed their place in Division One South East for next season, following the relegation of Haywards Heath and Cambridge City.

They picked up wins over Haywards Heath (3-1 and 2-0), Cambridge City (2-1) and Chesham United (5-1), alongside four draws.

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