sunday, january 12, 2025
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Welcome back, Steven.
All our players and staff are determined to get back to winning ways in front of a home crowd at the Nest.
Good afternoon and a warm welcome back to The Nest for the first time in 2025, as we host Ashford Town.
Today marks our first home game since November 2024 and also the first of seven home league fixtures that are to be played over the second half of the season.
Whilst we know our league form towards the end of 2024 was disappointing for all connected with the club, our staff and players have remained aligned, connected and were all determined to ensure we started 2025 positively. Victory against London Seaward last weekend was the perfect start to 2025 and marked our tenth clean sheet of the season. Everyone behind the scenes continues to remain highly motivated to ensure we build positive momentum with lots of points still left to play for this season.
This week we were delighted to complete the registrations of two of our academy graduates, Poppy Francis and Drew Wilson. Both players have impressed within the women’s first team training environment and have been rewarded with a place in our squad. It further highlights the strength of our homegrown talent and credit must go to our girls’ academy coaches who continue to drive player development throughout our player pathway.
We look forward to welcoming you all back to The Nest again on Sunday 26th January when we face Dulwich Hamlet.
OTBC.
Andy Cook
It’s about focusing on ourselves and what we want to do and achieve and that will come from a good training week then a performance to match that.
Andy Cook analyses the first win of the year and gives an update on squad availability.
A clean sheet and a win on the roadwould you say that is the perfect start to the new year?
Yeah, it’s exactly that! We needed a performance we can build on and that’s exactly what happened. We created a few chances and could have scored more but the most important thing was we were in the moment and working and now we focus on this week’s work and get ready for Ashford.
Hope Strauss has now equalled her goal tally from last season with yesterday’s penalty; how pleased have you been with her performances at either end of the pitch?
Hope has been one of our most consistent performers. She’s worked with me more than others in 1-2-1 sessions too and her Ceri and Quants have now together got 10 clean sheets. Her penalties have been precise this season and I know it’s something she takes care over and practices.
We travelled with a slightly lighter than usual squad at the weekend, could you just give an update on squad injury and illness?
Yes, we had a lot of illness in the squad and that’s just the time of the year. Several members didn’t feel fit enough to play, so they didn’t travel and we have to think about the welfare of everyone in those moments and use the whole squad. That’s what it’s there for and we paid dividends on Sunday.
We host Ashford Town on Sunday, a side we know are struggling but with the unpredictability of this league, would you agree it will still be a tough fixture?
It will be very tough. They will want to prove a point in the second half of the season and really go for it to climb up the table. For us, it’s about focusing on ourselves and what we want to do and achieve and that will come from a good training week then a performance to match that.
London Seaward 0 Norwich City Women 1
Norwich City returned to winning ways last week with a 1-0 win on the road against London Seaward in their first Division One South East fixture of 2025.
Hope Strauss’ penalty was the difference between the two sides, as the centre-back converted from the spot for the sixth time this season.
Andy Cook made five changes to the starting 11 that lost 2-0 to Cambridge United in City’s final outing before Christmas, with captain Megan Todd and Eloise Morran missing through illness.
The first effort for the Canaries came just after two minutes as a Shannon Shaw cross found Lauren Tomlinson approaching the box, but Seaward stopper Alex Baker was there to pounce on the header.
The winger then tried to return the favour for Shaw with a low cross into the box shortly after, but Baker was there to scoop up before the City striker could get a touch to it.
Shaw did have the ball in the back of the net after 15 minutes but was flagged for offside in the build-up.
Play evened out for the next 20 minutes as the hosts tried to find their footing in a game that had been controlled by City.
Tomlinson continued to excel down the left flank, her pace and ball control driving much of the Canaries’ attacking momentum.
Seaward had an opportunity to find an opener but their only effort of the half sailed straight to Sarah Quantrill who caught with ease.
The deadlock was broken when City were awarded a penalty after a handball in the box, Strauss stepping up to convert from the spot.
London Seaward opened the second half with a burst of energy, forcing Quantrill into an important parry with just two minutes gone.
The City number one smothered another dangerous Seaward attack shortly after, a looping ball catching out the Norwich back line.
Both Olivia Cook and Strauss had shots on target following this, but neither challenged Baker enough to extend the Canaries’ lead.
A lively spell from Norwich after their substitutions saw a close-range effort from Shaw blocked by Baker, followed by a strike from Issy Moore on the edge of the area that fell just wide.
Substitute Sienna Booty then tried her luck from range, forcing Baker to punch wide.
With less than 10 minutes on the clock, Freya Symonds had a go from the edge of the area, Shaw ready to pounce on the rebound but again Baker did excellent in quick succession to deny City a second.
The final chance of the game came in the first minute of stoppage time, a free-kick for the hosts that evaded the City wall but fell narrowly wide of Quantrill’s goal.
Feature interview
Lara Densley
This weekend’s player in the spotlight for our feature interview is Lara Densley, who reflected on the season so far and reacted to last weekend’s win on the road.
A great result on the weekend against London Seaward, how does it feel to be back to winning ways?
It’s a great feeling, and I’m so proud of everyone in the team for working hard in the run up to Christmas, despite the results. I think it was really important to note that as a team that we all stuck together and kept fighting, and we got the result we deserved on Sunday. We will continue to stick together and keep striving forward.
You put in a good shift in the second half, how did it feel to be back out there after the winter break?
It was amazing. The feeling of being out on the pitch and playing football is like no other. Also, knowing that I’m playing alongside not just friends, but also family is a great feeling in itself. We all want the best for each other, and all help each other achieve it.
We’ve just passed the halfway point of 2024/25, how do you assess the season so far?
Honestly, so far it’s not played out how we wished it to be and I think we can all agree we are disappointed that it hasn’t been our best run of games. But like I’ve mentioned
previously we are all so close and haven’t split as a group, so I have no doubt that the second half of the season is going to be better. I think it’s important that we put it behind us and we all focus on what’s ahead as we can’t control what’s happened, but we can control what’s going to come.
Going out on a loss isn’t the way we wanted to end the calendar year, but since then we’ve enjoyed the break and go straight back to training just before the new year. What was the mood like the first training session back?
The mood on the first session back was really happy. We are all such a close group that it was lovely to see everyone back after a short break. The first session had no pressure, it was lovely to go back and enjoy our football.
For those who don’t know too much about you, just tell us a little bit about where your journey with Norwich City started and how the pathway system helped you develop as a player?
I joined in the Norwich Academy at age 14 and had amazing coaches
to help me develop and progress. The training and development I received in my time there was very good and helped shape me into the player I am today. At 16, I went out to Wroxham to gain experience within women’s football and developed even further, becoming stronger and then I returned back to Norwich and the rest you all know!
It’s your first season with the senior team, you’ve made your full debut and netted twice in the FAWNL cup. How are you settling in to life as a Canary?
I am loving it as a Canary. Everyone from players to coaches have been so welcoming and so kind. I’ve really enjoyed my time, with training and games helping me to develop further. The facilities on hand are amazing and have definitely helped with my progress.
What are your personal goals for the rest of the season?
I think my personal goals are to just keep pushing myself to be the best I can be. If I push myself by working as hard as I can at football and also away from football to help me
I am loving it as a Canary. Everyone from players to coaches have been so welcoming and so kind.
improve, then I’ll be the best version of myself for the team.
We haven’t been back at The Nest since we faced Leafield in the FA Cup at the end of November. How much are you looking forward to being back on home turf this weekend?
I think we are all looking forward to it. Going out and playing at different grounds or stadiums is nice to explore, but there’s no better feeling than playing at home. The fans and supporters are incredible each week and it’s just an amazing feeling to play at The Nest.
Ashford are a struggling side, but as we know, this league is unpredictable. How do you think we will approach this fixture on Sunday?
I think it’s important that going forward no matter who we play, we go into the game with clear heads and to just focus on our game. We can’t control how Ashford or any other team in the league play but we can control our own individual performance. I think as a team if we all give it our best then it doesn’t matter who in the league we play, as we have amazing talent within our team and that will be shown.
PROUD PARTNERS OF NORWICH CITY FC
New Signings
Drew Wilson
Norwich City Women are pleased to announce the signings of Drew Wilson and Poppy Francis.
The pair, both 16, recently graduated from the Community Sports Foundation's Player Pathway, following in the steps of rising stars Eloise Morran, Issy Moore, Sienna Booty and Lara Densley.
Wilson, who will don the number 34 shirt, joined the club at age eight, working her way through the Academy Development Programme, Emerging Talent Centre and Advanced Coaching Centre before being eligible for selection in the women's first team.
On signing, the midfielder said: "It feels great, it's a dream come true. Norwich City is my childhood club, so this is really exciting for me."
Francis, a versatile defender, shares a similar journey to her academy counterpart. She also joined the Norwich City system at eight years old, advancing through the ADP, ETC, and ACC before securing her firstteam spot under manager Andy Cook.
She will wear the number 35 shirt.
Reflecting on signing, Francis said: "It means a lot to me and my family. I've been in the Norwich City academy for a long time, playing through all the year groups, so I'm really happy that this has paid off."
Both players also gained experience on the field in boys football with Holt Football Club.
Head of women's football, Flo Allen, said: "Since stepping up into the women’s first team training environment from our girls’ academy, both Poppy and Drew have impressed with their appetite to learn and have continually impressed with their training performances.
"We are all extremely excited about both of their future potential, and we firmly believe that both academy graduates are surrounded by expert coaches, highly-motivated support staff and world-class facilities to support the next chapter in both their development.
"Credit must go to our girls’ academy coaches who have worked tirelessly to stretch and challenge Drew and Poppy over the years and continue to drive player development through our player pathway."
Poppy Francis
Lara dEnsLEy
LaurEn TOMLInsOn
FrEya syMOnds
sIEnna bOOTy
LaurEn HaILEs
IsabELLE MOOrE
Opposition Overview: Ashford Town
This weekend we welcome Ashford Town to The Nest for our first home game of 2025.
Today’s visitors will be fighting to keep their survival hopes alive as they sit second from bottom with just four points, four adrift from safety.
After 12 games played, Town have collected one win and one draw at the halfway point of their 2024/25 campaign, the 5-2 win coming in emphatic style against London Seaward back in September.
An important draw against Chesham United last week lifted them off the bottom of the Division One South East table, the fixture ending 1-1 at the Meadow.
Cali Weaver was on the scoresheet for the Tangerines, netting the opening goal in the first 15 minutes before United’s Gemma Fraser pulled back the equaliser in the second half.
Get to know...
Katie Knights Ella Powell
Place of birth
Norwich Position
Centre-mid
Nickname
KK
First pair of boots
Predators
Favourite food
Enchiladas
Favourite drink
Pepsi Max
First choice of snack
Banana bread
Last thing you do in the dressing room before a match
Dance!
Pre-match song of choice
All of the lights by Kanye West
Who do you sit next to on the bus to away games
Millie Daviss
Best football match you’ve ever watched
Norwich City 3-2 Man City
Place of birth
Leicester
Position Forward
Nickname
EP
First pair of boots
Adidas
Favourite food
Pizza
Favourite drink
Pepsi Max
First choice of snack
Banana bread
Last thing you do in the dressing room before a match
Have an energy gel
Pre-match song of choice
Hometown glory by Adele
Who do you sit next to on the bus to away games
Hope Strauss
Best football match you’ve ever watched
The Lionesses in the Euros final
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.
LasT CHanCE TO buy
saraH quanTrILL
CHardOnnay jOHnsTOn
ELLIE bIsHOP
CErI FLyE
ELOIsE MOrran
MEGan TOdd
MILLIE davIss
ELLIE sMITH naTasHa snELLInG
TaMsIn MEdd-GILL
ELLa POwELL
kaTIE knIGHTs
Lara dEnsLEy
FrEya syMOnds
LaurEn HaILEs
Issy MOOrE
LaurEn TOMLInsOn
sHannOn sHaw
OLIvIa COOk
jEss barnEs
HOPE sTrauss
sIEnna bOOTy
HOLLy kEnnard
aMbEr LOCkEr drEw wILsOn