Norwich City Women FC v Boldmere St. Michaels

city sunday, november 26, 2023

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2023/24

32 rooms, private bar, spa and restaurant Langham, Norfolk | theharper.co.uk

in this issue 5

NOTES FROM FLO

6

HEAD COACH NOTES

8

MATCH REPORT: WORTHING

10

MEET THE SQUAD

12

FEATURE INTERVIEW: SARAH QUANTRILL

17

OPPOSITION INFO

19

NORWICH CITY WOMEN NEWS

20

GET TO KNOW

21

2023/24 FIXTURES & RESULTS

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NOTES FROM FLO

notes from flo Good afternoon and a warm welcome to everyone in attendance for today’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup second round proper encounter with Boldmere St Michaels.

The Hashtag United fixture a fortnight ago optimised the togetherness within the group to clinch a hardfought victory. Today’s opponents, Boldmere St Michaels will be a new team to many. However, they are a side that must be respected, scoring seventeen goals in the previous two rounds. The squad are certainly up for the test, with today’s winner earning a spot in the third round proper of the competition, the round that sees championships club enter.

gifts for older people this Christmas. The ‘Be a Santa’ scheme involves collecting gift donations to wrap and distribute to lonely, isolated older people in the community, who may not be seeing anyone this Christmas, or even receiving any cards or gifts.

Turning our attentions back to this afternoon’s fixture, today is another excellent opportunity to fill the Nest and we will be calling on all our fans to get behind the team as they have done so all season.

Enjoy the game!

Next weekend for our fixture against AFC Wimbledon (3rd December) we have collaborated with Home Instead and are asking fans to ‘Be a Santa’, donating

OTBC 5

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F R E E 1 - DAY T R I A L

Visit nuffieldhealth.com/book-a-tour to find out more or book your free 1-day trial*.

Away fan or don’t live locally?

Find your local Nuffield Health at nuffieldhealth.com/gyms *Terms apply.

COACH’S COMMENT

coach’s comment This week’s catch-up with head coach Martin includes an analysis on our point against Worthing, looking ahead to today’s opponents, how the season is progressing and the anticipation of the top of the table league clash.

We came away with a wellearned point against a strong side Sunday, what did you make of the performance as a whole?

Although we try to win every game, it was a good point overall. Worthing are a strong side and will most certainly be pushing for promotion over the coming seasons. The wind played a huge part and made it a game of two halves, with both teams enjoying the ball when they had the wind with them.

Lauren Tomlinson mentioned Worthing were a tricky side to play against and their set-up was unlike one you had come across before. Do you think that’s what stopped us from taking all three points?

Worthing are a physical team with some big, strong players and they looked to be dominant.

We competed well with them and probably could have nicked

it at the end. A lot of teams are studying us now and you can tell as they adjust their formations and players to try and combat our threats. We need to be on our game every game.

For sure, we want to go as far as we can but we can be proud of what we have done to this point.

One thing for sure is that we will give it our all and try and make the city proud of the women’s team.

Sunday’s opposition are new territory for us, but an exciting challenge. How do you and the team look at a game like this in the FA Cup?

Finally, I know we try not to look at the table too much and it is still very early days, but with AFC Wimbledon’s win over London Seaward, they have crept away from us at the top a little. However, we still have our completely unbeaten run this season in the league (the only team to do so), so it must be starting to feel very competitive and exciting ahead of our fixture against them?

We are really excited by the challenge. It’s always great to pick your whits against teams out of your division. The fans have been immense and I think we will need them again. We hope to have a more attacking display which will hopefully excite the fans.

We managed a great result against a really troubling Hashtag side in the first round, so would you say we go into the game with our heads held high, regardless of the end result?

7

We are taking one game at a time.

However, we know Wimbledon is on the horizon and we will be ready for that test. We have a run of three home games in a row, so let’s pack The Nest for them all.

MATCH REPORT

worthing NORWICH CITY

1 1

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19 WORTHING FOOTBALL CLUB A second-half Ellie Smith header ensured a point for Norwich City as they faced off against a formidable Worthing side in the Women’s National League.

Norwich’s best chance of the half came just five minutes later, when Megan Todd found Natasha Snelling with a neat pass just inside the area, but the angle was too tight for Snelling, who couldn’t trouble Lauren Dolbear in the Worthing goal.

Norwich arrived at a wildly windy south coast on Sunday to face a newly-promoted and high-flying Worthing.

Worthing continued to cause problems with a series of testing balls into dangerous areas and in the 19th minute their efforts were rewarded.

In a game of two halves, it was the home side who would have the wind in their sails in the first 45 minutes, getting off to the better start. A cagey opening spell saw few chances as the two sides sized each other up.

A bouncing ball in the box fell to the feet of forward Chloe Winchester who made no mistake, driving low into the bottom corner.

It would take an uncharacteristic error just inside 10 minutes to manifest the first chance of the game, as Worthing pounced onto a loose pass across the box before firing narrowly wide of the post.

Norwich’s best efforts to respond were proving futile as a formidable Worthing defence continued to disrupt and frustrate right up to the half-time whistle.

8

MATCH REPORT

The Canaries came out in the second half in a new spirit, conscious of the wind advantage that now played into their hands.

Worthing were by no means out, as they almost responded immediately via a corner of their own, but the header was glanced wide of the upright.

Right off the bat, the two wide players linked up well as Alice Parker found Lauren Tomlinson with a lovely switch in the 47th minute, but the left-sided player couldn’t keep her effort on target.

Corners continued to be the method of effective attack as Smith came close to doubling her own and Norwich’s tally in the 77th minute, but nodded just wide on this occasion.

Waves of Norwich pressure amounted to a series of corners that looked to cause Worthing some discomfort.

Samantha Quayle was found via a lovely ball over the top in the 90th minute but couldn’t capitalise on the chance to test Sarah Quantrill.

After asking a number of questions of the home side’s defence, it was a set piece that would eventually bring Norwich’s game to life. Anna Larkins whipped a delightful corner from the left-hand side onto the head of Smith to score the equaliser.

Norwich’s final chance would arrive in the 95th minute manifesting from an initial effort from Freya Symonds before Rachel Lawrence’s close-range follow-up was shown the offside flag to draw a conclusion to the contest.

9

2023/24 SQUAD

norwich city women first team squad 2023/24 gk

gk

BRYONY

WILLIAMS

df

df

CHARDONNAY

JOHNSTON

df

CERI

FLYE

5

df

HOPE

STRAUSS

2

SUMMER

WARD

df

ANNA

LARKINS

12

NAOMI

COOPER

25

LIMAGE

3

26

CROFT 10

31

ALICE

PARKER

4

df

15

df

MARY

QUANTRILL

df

df

df

FELICITY

1

SARAH

JESS

HARPER

17

df

27

CHARLOTTE

PERNET

28

2023/24 SQUAD

mf

MILLIE

DAVISS

mf

ELLIE

SMITH

9

HAILES

REBECCA

RUSSELL

11

KATIE

KNIGHTS

mf

mf

LAUREN

mf

mf

19

ELOISE

MORRAN

mf

16

mf

20

LAUREN

TOMLINSON

8

FREYA

SYMONDS

18

mf

21

RACHEL

LAWRENCE

24

fw

MEGAN

TODD

fw

fw

NATASHA

SNELLING

10

KATHRYN

STANLEY

fw

14

SHANNON

SHAW 11

7

fw

22

OLIVIA

COOK

23

FEATURE INTERVIEW: SARAH QUANTRILL

feature interview: sarah quantrill

12

FEATURE INTERVIEW: SARAH QUANTRILL

Sarah Quantrill has settled well into life between the sticks at Norwich City, and tells all in an in-depth interview about her time with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool and how Flo persuaded her to join the Canaries from Ipswich Town.

It’s been a few months now since you joined Norwich City Women. How are you settling in?

It was a combination of college in the mornings followed by training in the afternoon and some evenings, if you were involved in the reserve team or the first team. I was lucky enough to be able to train with the first team goalkeepers, which were Emma Byrne and Becky Spencer at the time. Emma was also the academy goalkeeper coach alongside Kelly Smith, who was one of the coaches.

It was pretty easy settling in. I knew a couple of the older girls from when I was playing through the age groups at the Centre of Excellence, which always makes a move to a new team a bit easier. The team is a close group and we all work really well together; we all want to do our best to help this team be successful. Even when someone’s not in the squad, they’re still at the game wanting the team to win.

Chard [Johnston] is the perfect example of this; she’s been out injured since last season and she’s at every training session and every game cheering us on and wanting us to do well.

Once I finished college, I went to Hertfordshire University and at that time, I joined Chelsea to be the number two goalkeeper. It was still very much part time, with uni during the day and then training Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I ended up making my first team debut as a half-time substitute against Arsenal at The Emirates, after an injury to our keeper.

You’ve got a wealth of experience under your belt with some great teams. Can you just tell us about your time with some of the big names, like Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool?

A week later we had Arsenal again the FA Cup semifinal, and I knew the number one keeper was carrying an injury, but I thought no way she would miss this game. The day before, I got the call-up! We ended up winning 2-0, which was crazy.

I was at Norwich until I was 17 and at this stage, there wasn’t really a next step. Jackie Thornton’s sister worked at Arsenal at the time and got me trials for their academy. Luckily, I got in, the only downside to this was having to move to move away from home at 17, which wasn’t easy but it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.

A couple of months later, the manager left and went to Liverpool and he asked if I was prepared to move to Liverpool to be number one, which was another opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I was there for a couple of seasons, where we went from finishing near 13

FEATURE INTERVIEW: SARAH QUANTRILL

The women’s side has come on a massive amount since I was last here, from training on the muddy pitch under a few flood lights at Norwich United, to being able to train at the Lotus Training Ground and having a home like The Nest, which amazing. I think that’s credit to the club and the hard work that Flo and the rest of the staff has put in.

the bottom to winning the league. I was there for two seasons before moving back to Norwich.

Joining from Ipswich must have been a big decision, when you take the rivalry into account.

What was it about Norwich that excited you and made you want to make the move?

A move between two rival teams is never going to be easy. It’s two clubs with a passionate fan base, so you never know what reaction you’re going to get. The Norwich fans have been amazing and to have them signing a song about me after a couple of months is pretty special.

As someone who spends a lot of time out of the action on the pitch, especially considering our unbeaten run in the league, you must get to analyse each game pretty well. What can you see is the driving force behind our brilliant results this season?

I think it’s been a real team effort. Martin and the staff do all the hard work to get us ready and prepared for the game and the girls really buy into the game plan that the staff give us. I think Hashtag was the perfect example of that. We knew our high press could leave them the gaps that they like to get into, so by sitting back and being compact it made it difficult for Hashtag to break us down.

To be honest, it was a move I didn’t know was going to happen when it was announced I was leaving Ipswich; I was actually thinking about stepping away from football. I had a couple of conversations with Flo and agreed to go to the training ground for a chat.

She gave me a tour around the training ground and outlined the team’s aims, long and short term and it sounded like a project I wanted to be involved in.

14

FEATURE INTERVIEW: SARAH QUANTRILL

We have been pretty solid defensively and that all comes from the high press, which isn’t easy for the front players, but it allows everyone to push on a bit higher to win the ball back near the opponents goal.

What’s great for the team is you have confidence on the pitch to direct and organise the girls, and they certainly look up to you. Off the pitch, who are the girls you would say you have built the strongest relationship with since joining?

I know it’s a cliche, but I get on with everyone, the girls are so easy to get on with. I get on well with Tash, we live near each other so we often car share which is nice. Plus, I love hearing her stories from her day at work. I get on well with Alice as well - I have recently started going boxing with her. Although she is still waiting for me to get her some chocolates to try. I work in a chocolate factory, so she wants to try some of the truffles I make.

You’ve had the perfect window of opportunity since joining, getting consistent minutes in the team. How are you finding training and keeping up fitness, 15

being relied on so heavily in our starting 11?

When I joined I knew I wasn’t guaranteed to be number one, so I knew I would have to work hard to get that spot. I love training and games and I’m enjoying working with Nath; he pushes me to be the best I can be. He even has to tell me to go home sometimes after training, because it’s 10 o’clock and I’m still diving around trying to save shots mainly Will and Ethan’s penalties.

Finally, a question I imagine you’ve had a few times in your life; have you always played in goal since you started playing football? What was it about that position that made you want to become a keeper?

I think my answer is probably the same as most keepers, I started off upfront and then one game we didn’t have GK, so I offered thinking it would be fun and have been there ever since. There’s something fun about diving around saving balls that have been smashed at you. However, it can be a high-pressure position, where you can be the hero one game, but one mistake and you can easily be a villain.

OPPOSITION INFO

boldmere st. michaels

OVERVIEW

Round two of the Women’s FA Cup sees us welcome Boldmere St. Michaels Women to The Nest, all the way from Sutton Coldfield.

The Mikes compete in Division One Midlands, our Tier Four counterparts, sitting sixth in the league with 12 points.

Boldmere have won four of their seven matches, losing out three times to Peterborough United, Northampton Town and Leafield Athletic.

Their FA Cup run so far saw them put 13 past Wyberton Wildcats, netting the most goals in the first round, and beating 17

Oughtibridge War Memorial 4-0 in the third round qualifying.

Top goal scorer Gabriella Maia recorded a brace on both occasions, whilst Rhianna Travers and Philippa Wilson each netted twice against the Wildcats.

Katie Sorenson’s side have faced some big names this season in other cup action, losing out 2-1 to Newcastle United and taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Birmingham FA County Cup. The match at Compton Park Training Ground finished 4-0 to Wolves.

DONATE A GIFT TO SOMEONE SPENDING CHRISTMAS ALONE THIS YEAR

NCFCW NEWS

Be a Santa at The Nest for our AFC Wimbledon fixture Norwich City Women and Home Instead are asking fans to 'Be a Santa' and donate a selection of gifts for older people this Christmas at our AFC Wimbledon fixture.

The match takes place at The Nest on Sunday, December 3 and kick off takes place at 2pm.

Home Instead help tens of thousands of families through every imaginable situation, with home care that is truly personal to them.

They specialise in home visits, health care, live-in care and helping the local community in anyway to allow individuals to lead fulfilled lives in safe & familiar surroundings.

Their 'Be a Santa' scheme involves collecting gift donations to wrap and distribute to lonely, isolated older people in the community, who may not be seeing anyone this Christmas, or even receiving any cards or gifts.

A collection table will be set up in the cafe at The Nest next to the Christmas tree for fans to bring their donations.

See the opposite page for a list of suggested items to bring.

Free AFC Wimbledon tickets for junior members Norwich City Women are pleased to confirm that junior members can claim a free ticket to watch the FAWNL Division One South East fixture against AFC Wimbledon Women.

To claim this offer, supporters will need to be logged in to their One City account to ensure the junior ticket is associated with a junior member.

Captain Canary will be in attendance on the day, as well as a face painter and the first 20 juniors who arrive will receive a free goody bag.

Please note that this offer is only available with the purchase of one adult ticket and will not be valid on the matchday at the gate.

Get your ticket HERE. 19

GET TO KNOW...

get to know...

7

megan todd

15

naomi cooper

Place of birth

Norwich

Place of birth

Norwich

Position

Winger

Position

Full-back

Preferred foot

Right

Preferred foot

Right

Age when started playing

Ten

Age when started playing

Five

Footballing idol

Thierry Henry

Footballing idol

Kiera Walsh

Favourite goal scored

Carrow Road game against Ashford last season

Favourite goal scored

Against Man United

Nickname

Toddy

Favourite sport that isn’t football

Crossfit

Pre-match song of choice

Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore

Pre-match song of choice

Baiana by Bakermat

Favourite food

Pasta

Favourite food

Nandos

Favourite film

Bridesmaids

Favourite film

Big Hero Six

2023/24 FIXTURES & RESULTS

FIXTURES & RESULTS DATE AUGUST SUN 20 SUN 27 SEPTEMBER SUN 3 TUE 5 SUN 10 SUN 17 SUN 24 OCTOBER SUN 1 SUN 8 SUN 22 SUN 29 NOVEMBER SUN 5 SUN 12 SUN 19 SUN 26 DECEMBER SUN 3 SUN 17 JANUARY SUN 7 SUN 14 SUN 28 FEBRUARY SUN 11 TUE 20 MARCH SUN 3 SUN 10 SUN 24 SUN 31 APRIL SUN 21 MAY SUN 5

OPPOSITION

FAWNL DIVISION ONE SOUTH EAST KO

A A

AFC SUDBURY CAMBRIDGE UNITED league cup

1-2 0-5

H A H H A

LONDON SEAWARD CAMBRIDGE CITY CAMBRIDGE UNITED HAYWARDS HEATH ACTONIANS

2-2 0-4 1-1 6-1 1-5

A A A A

AFC BOURNEMOUTH league cup QUEENS PARK RANGERS LONDON SEAWARD fa cup LONDON BEES league cup

1-2 1-2 1-3 2-0

H H A H

ASHFORD TOWN HASHTAG UNTED fa cup WORTHING BOLDMERE ST. MICHAELS fa cup

4-2 1-0 1-1 14.00

H H

AFC WIMBLEDON CHESHAM UNITED

14.00 14.00

A A H

LONDON SEAWARD CAMBRIDGE UNITED ACTONIANS

14.00 14.00 14.00

A H

HAYWARDS HEATH CAMBRIDGE CITY

14.00 19.45

A H H A

CHESHAM UNITED WORTHING QUEENS PARK RANGERS AFC WIMBLEDON

14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00

H

AFC SUDBURY

14.00

A

ASHFORD TOWN

14.00

AFC WIMBLEDON NORWICH CITY CAMBRIDGE UNITED WORTHING QPR ASHFORD TOWN LONDON SEAWARD ACTONIANS CHESHAM UNITED AFC SUDBURY CAMBRIDGE CITY HAYWARDS HEATH TOWN

*TABLES CORRECT AS OF 24/11/2023

21

p

w

d

l gd pts

10 9 9 8 9 8 9 10 8 10 9 9

9 6 5 5 5 4 3 3 2 1 1 1

0 3 3 1 0 2 2 2 0 3 2 0

1 30 0 17 1 5 2 9 4 4 2 7 4 2 5 -3 6 -12 6 -20 6 -18 6 -21

27 21 18 16 15 14 11 11 6 6 5 3

HEAD COACH: MARTIN HERDMAN 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16

BRYONY WILLIAMS CHARDONNAY JOHNSTON SUMMER WARD ALICE PARKER CERI FLYE MEGAN TODD MILLIE DAVISS ELLIE SMITH NATASHA SNELLING REBECCA RUSSELL ANNA LARKINS KATHRYN STANLEY NAOMI COOPER KATIE KNIGHTS

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 31 32

JESS HARPER FREYA SYMONDS LAUREN HAILES ELOISE MORRAN LAUREN TOMLINSON SHANNON SHAW OLIVIA COOK RACHEL LAWRENCE HOPE STRAUSS FELICITY LIMAGE MARY CROFT charlotte pernet SARAH QUANTRILL holly kennard