sunday, september 15, 2024
Live mobile data. Simplified.
Proudly based in Aylsham, Norfolk, Sekura.id is a truly global mobile identity company replacing usernames and passwords with the device we all have with us: our phones.
Sekura prevents payment and identity fraud too, seamlessly and securely with live data from over 75 mobile network operators and the SIM card in the phones of +2.5 billion people on six continents.
That’s over 92,000 full-capacity Carrow Road crowds, and growing fast, covered in real-time by Sekura during logins and transactions across banking, gaming, crypto, retail, e-commerce and more.
Chances are, if you’ve paid for something or used an app today, Sekura may well have made that payment or experience easier, faster and safer.
Welcome back, Steven.
We will look to continue this form this afternoon and continue to build momentum.
Good afternoon and welcome to The Nest for today’s FA Women’s National League Plate preliminary round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion U21 Professional Game Academy.
New for the 2024/25 season Professional Game Academies from the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship can enter the FA Women’s National League Plate competition, this is a similar model used in the male game and will provide us with a different test to the teams we may face on a week-byweek basis in our league campaign.
Whilst we are all delighted with the start to our league campaign, which has seen us keep three clean sheets and secure maximum points from the opening four fixtures, we will look to continue this form this afternoon and continue to build momentum.
Over the summer months it was brilliant to see a strong turn-out of fans attending the player signing sessions at the Norwich City retail store at Jarrolds in the city centre. Eloise Morran, Lauren Hailes, Ceri Flye and Sarah Quantrill all joined a men’s first team player to meet and greet fans, giving back to our proud, passionate football community that support us week-in-week-out.
I hope you all enjoy this afternoon’s fixture, and we look forward to welcoming you all back to The Nest on Sunday, October 6 for our fixture against Real Bedford. OTBC.
Andy Cook
All the PGAs being involved is exciting and exactly what the young players need. It’s good for the game and in the long term it exposes younger players to senior football
This week’s catch-up with Andy includes a fitness update and a general assessment of the start of the season so far.
We’ve scored 16 goals in four league games, with seven different goal scorers. How impressed are you with your forwards so far since taking over?
Yeah they have been excellent, but it’s everyone. The forwards have the hardest job because it’s one maybe two touches and a finish. They might only get three or four chances a game. That’s why we need to give them 30/40 opportunities in the week to practice it, and the way I like to work gives all players the opportunity to work in those moments. It’s important that all players are involved and to have seven goal scorers so far is fantastic.
Let’s of course not forget the defence, who have produced now three clean sheets this season, what do you have to say on their performances?
They have worked phenomenally well this year; Ceri, Hope and Sarah have been so good. They are the basis for everything attacking and defending, they set the tone of how we want to work and play.
How are we looking fitness-wise after that game, any knocks picked up or news from others around the squad?
We are in a good place. Tommo [Lauren Tomlinson] is working now on her running and her injury confirmed as a broken arm, we can see her building her fitness quite quickly. Freya [Symonds] has an issue with her foot and she’s working on that, so hopefully we will assess her towards the end of the week and see how she progresses.
We face Brighton Academy this weekend in the Plate competition, just tell us why this will be great experience for both sides?
Yeah, it’s brilliant. All the PGAs being involved is exciting and exactly what the young players need. It’s good for the game and in the long term it exposes younger players to senior football, hopefully providing them with some good experiences. We of course want to progress and make sure we are in the best place possible in this competition.
Ashford Town Women 0 Norwich City Women 6
City put six past Ashford Town on Sunday, with Lauren Hailes the hat-trick hero of the afternoon.
There were three changes in the line-up for the afternoon from the team that beat London Seaward 5-0 last week, with Olivia Cook making her first start of the season.
City started the game as they meant to go on, pressing high and not allowing Ashford to push them back.
Holly Kennard and Issy Moore looked very lively on the left, causing real problems for Town’s defence.
It didn’t take long for City’s attacking game plan to find an opener, as Hailes took advantage of a scramble in the box, and with the help of a deflection, poked a shot into the back of the net.
Moore, Kennard and Ellie Smith all had efforts at goal in the following 10 minutes, but all three went straight into the hands of Emma Vigolo in goal.
Hailes turned from scorer to provider, as City eventually doubled the lead 15 minutes later.
The number 19 saw Smith charging her way into the box and slotted her the ball to finish off the move and make it 2-0.
Just 10 minutes later and Norwich had their third through Hailes, Smith returning the favour and setting her up to chip Vigolo and collect her second.
Hailes was far from finished though, finding the back of the net with a lovely strike on the edge of the area in stoppage time of the first half.
The second half opened much the same as the first, with City firmly in control.
Natasha Snelling got her goal in the opening seconds of second half play, turning swiftly in the box to find the bottom corner and City’s fifth of the game.
Ashford started to threaten at this stage, keeping hold of possession more and putting City on the back foot.
Moore was called into action on the line, as an effort came powering goalward from a corner.
Soon after, Smith got her brace as she wasted no time latching onto a deflected shot and firing the ball into the bottom corner to finish the game off.
City are next back in action on Sunday, September 15, in the FAWNL Plate at The Nest against Brighton and Hove Albion Under-21s.
Lara densLey
Freya symOnds
Lauren
Lauren HaILes
sIenna bOOty
IsabeLLe mOOre
HOLLy kennard
Feature interview
Issy Moore
City youngster Issy Moore graduated from the club’s Academy Development Programme this summer, getting her first taste of senior football in August. She talks about making the transition and having Grant Holt as her coach in our latest feature interview.
Andy has said many times and we can see it ourselves, you can play in a variety of different positions - which is your favourite and why?
My favourite position is attacking midfield as I like to use my technical skills to create opportunities and to push forward. I also have experience of playing on the wing and, most recently, playing at left back. Playing in these different roles has given me lots of skills which will improve my game overall. Whatever the position, I just adapt my play to push forward for the team.
Does it feel good knowing he trusts you in so many places on the pitch and that even
if one position is filled, there’s still a chance you’ll still play, just somewhere else?
I am really pleased Andy can trust me, and the trust works both ways. It’s nice having that trust from your coach as a new player in the team and wherever I’m being played on the pitch I am always grateful that I can bring my versatility to the team.
You’re not at all afraid of shooting, how much are you hoping to get that first senior goal?
Of course, scoring a goal is the icing on the cake and given the opportunity I will always try and I’ll be buzzing to get a result for the team.
THE DEEP DARK SIDE OF DETECTIVE WORK
FRIDAY 18 TH OCTOBER, 7 pm gunn club , carrow road
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt since playing senior football?
Since playing in senior football, the biggest thing I’ve learnt is that having trust in your teammates and your coach is vital for growth of the team and success overall.
We’ve talked about it a little in a pre-season interview, but who in the team has really taken you under their wing both on and off the pitch?
All of the team are very friendly and supportive of all the new players, but my special mention has to be for Toddy. Whilst we were in the academy programme she was hugely
supportive and gave us all loads of guidance, especially through our final years. She then made the move into the first team as easy as it could have been for us all.
We know Canary legend Grant Holt has been your coach throughout your youth career and still coaches you at Langley Football Academy in collaboration with Norwich City. Just tell us what that is like and what you have learnt from him?
Being coached by Grant Holt and the team has been amazing. He knows a lot about the game and I’ve learnt so many simple but vital details in football that can make you stand out from other
Playing at Carrow Road was a brilliant experience, and it’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was seven years old. It’s a memory I’ll never forget.
players. He has a great sense of humour and the training is top notch. He still gives me plenty of support and guidance now, helping me to balance my football with my academic subjects.
In our last home game, we faced Ipswich Town at Carrow Road and exited the league cup. Although it wasn’t the result we’d have hoped for, we put up a great fight for 60 minutes - what was your biggest takeaway from the match?
Playing at Carrow Road was a brilliant experience, and it’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was seven years old. It’s a memory I’ll
never forget. It wasn’t the score we wanted but we all played to our best ability and should be proud. We are still in the Plate, so we are now focused on winning that competition.
We face Brighton Under-21s next in the League Plate competition. What do you know of their academy set-up and how will you prepare for the game?
Knowing that Brighton are an Under 21’s team, we know that they’ll be fast and energetic. But we have worked hard in training and we are very ready for the battle this weekend and we just want to get another win under our belts.
Opposition Overview: Brighton Academy
This weekend we welcome Brighton and Hove Albion Academy to The Nest in the FAWNL determining round of the Plate competition.
This year is the first year to see Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship academy teams invited to play, as the FAWNL says it is forming a new relationship with the Professional Game Academy (PGA) for the new season.
The move hopes to boost match opportunities for youth players.
City enter the draw for the tournament after bowing out of the League Cup at Carrow Road last month, to Tier 3 rivals Ipswich Town.
The Seagulls’ senior counterparts currently reside in the Barclays Women’s Super League, their season beginning next weekend.
Get to know...
Sarah Quantrill Lara Densley
Place of birth
1 17
Norwich
Position
Goalkeeper
Nickname
Quants
First pair of boots
Nike’s
Favourite food
Roast dinner
Favourite drink
Fizzy orange Lucozade
First choice of snack
Flapjack
Last thing you do in the dressing room before a match
Put my gloves on
Pre-match song of choice
She makes me wanna by JLS
Who do you sit next to on the bus to away games
Ceri Flye
Best football match you’ve ever watched
Women’s Euros final
Last holiday destination you visited
Tenerife
Place of birth
Nottingham
Position
Left/right wing
Nickname
Larry
First pair of boots
Nike’s
Favourite food
Pork stir fry
Favourite drink
Lemon ice tea
First choice of snack
Banana or apple
Last thing you do in the dressing room before a match
Drink water with electrolytes
Pre-match song of choice
Can’t hold us by Macklemore
Who do you sit next to on the bus to away games
Eloise Morran or Lauren Hailes
Best football match you’ve ever watched
England Women v Ireland
Women
Last holiday destination you visited
Fuerteventura
Visit nuffieldhealth.com/book-a-tour to
or
.
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. Away
teammate masHup episode two
I volunteer for Norwich City Women because I enjoy meeting different people and the community spirit amongst everybody is just fantastic. I’ve done it for quite a few years now, so it just feels natural helping out where I can.
- Karen Emery
We are proud to have a fantastic group of matchday helpers on hand every home game who give up their valuable time to show their support in more ways than one for the club they love.
We want to put a spotlight on who they are and why they do what they do.
Make sure to say hello if you see them around!
Interested in joining our volunteer team? Send in your application here.
Natasha Snelling has been voted by fans as the Norwich City Women Player of the Month for August.
August saw three games for the Canaries, two league wins against Dulwich Hamlet and Cambridge United and one loss in the FAWNL Cup.
Starting her season off with four goals in two games, Snelling has taken no time to continue her perfect form in front of goal.
On winning the vote, the striker said: "I am very grateful for receiving the first Player of the
Month award and I want to thank everyone that has voted for me! I feel I have started the season well, so I hope that it continues.
"I think we are now starting to adapt to Andy’s style of play and we just need to keep playing the way we have been; we have some tough games coming up so we just need to remain focused.
"In terms of my own consistency, I will continue to work hard in training and look at ways I can help my teammates to improve their game even more, as well as mine."
Head cOacH: andy cOOk
saraH quantrILL
CHardOnnay jOHnstOn
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
CHarLOtte pernet
HOLLy kennard amber LOCker