Norwich City Women FC v Cambridge City

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notes from flo

I’d like to start by saying a huge thank you to those supporters who travelled to AFC Wimbledon on the supporters’ coach. Your support this season has not gone unnoticed, and the squad certainly felt your presence on that day.

We are also hugely grateful to the 6,000 of you that came to watch our Carrow Road fixture at the end of last month. That weekend saw over 35,000 people attend FAWNL matches, which is fantastic to see.

Today follows on from another successful trip to Cambridge United last weekend, which meant we extended our unbeaten run in Division One South East.

It’s been fantastic to see our most recent academy graduates blossom this season in Lauren Hailes and Charlotte Pernet, alongside Eloise Morran. As a club, we take immense pride in our player pathway.

The start of this month saw yet again some positive community interaction with Freya Symonds, Chardonnay Johnston, Anna Larkins, Megan Todd and Rachel Lawrence across various signing sessions and Easter parties.

I hope you all enjoy tonight’s game under the lights and get behind our girls.

OTBC

coach’s comment

Scott Emmerson reflected on the weekend’s win away to Cambridge United and talked through recovery plans ahead of today’s mid-week fixture.

Another great win on the road yesterday, how do you assess the performance?

Yesterday was a case that things are beginning to gel more and more as the weeks go on. We had a slight tweak in formation and a little bit of consistency in a few different roles. I think the momentum is definitely with us at this minute in time; from the Wimbledon game we have trained

really well from just before that point. I think we probably deserved a little bit more out of that one.

Yesterday then showed what we were fully capable of and there probably should have been a few more goals as well but we are playing really nice football at this minute in time and things are moving in a good direction for the group.

Despite having a fair few injuries about, we still have huge depth in the squad. Would you say you enjoy the rotation and you see a different set-up as each game goes by?

You’re only as good as the depth of your squad overall looking at it, because we have to make sure that any player is ready to drop in and be involved in the squad whenever they are called upon. It’s mainly more in a positional sense and I think things have started to settle a little. Overall, it’s good to see the quality that we do have and depth we were able to pull upon to implement our game plan overall. So, really well done to all players involved on the day and in the last couple of weeks.

It’s a quick turnaround and we host Cambridge City Tuesday, how do you prepare/what does training look like with a game Sunday and Tuesday?

We make sure that all players are fit, we double check on any knocks and bumps on Monday and reassess before the putting the squad out. There was no contact time on the training pitch at all, so we know what we need to do and we spoke to the girls prior by midday Monday, so they will then be ready and know the starting line-up and what the game plan is. That gives them time to plan and prepare and we will just put final messages in Tuesday evening and then the girls are able to cope with this range of minutes and we all then look forward to the game.

aFC wiMbledOn 2 nOrwiCH City 2

SUNDAY, MARCH 31

CARSHALTON ATHLETIC FC

Norwich City Women secured a point in dramatic fashion on Sunday, scoring twice in injury time to deny Wimbledon victory on their home turf.

Wimbledon welcomed the Canaries to Carshalton Athletic Stadium in fierce form, going faultless in the FAWNL South East since the turn of the year.

The undefeated Canaries arrived off the back of draws in their previous two matches, looking to go one better this time out.

As expected, the hosts started on the front foot, looking to command the game and dominate possession.

Norwich contained them to little in the opening 10 minutes. It would take until the 17th minute for Sarah Quantrill’s gloves to be tested for the first time, with two goal-saving stops in quick succession.

Norwich’s chances were few and far between in the first half, the best arriving on the 20-minute mark as Ellie Smith glanced a header wide of the left post.

Just a minute later, the hosts had the opener. A good bit of build-up play amounted to a brilliant final ball, but a Norwich intervention would turn the ball goalbound and beyond a helpless Quantrill to make it 1-0.

There was little notable action following the goal as a handful of Norwich counter-attacks amounted to nothing clear-cut, but demonstrated a sign of things to come.

The half looked destined for a one-goal deficit at the break, but the hosts had other ideas. Some good movement and build-up allowed league-leading scorer Ashlee Hincks too much space in the box to double the Dons’ lead before the break.

The theme of the first half remained consistent coming out for the second, with Quantrill shining, saving a number of good efforts before the hour mark.

Then came the City changes and with the changes an injection of energy, catalysed by Holly Kennard. Suddenly the closing 20 minutes of proceedings became waves of yellow and green attacks, but the Dons remained defensively sound.

As all looked to be too little too late, City were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous area. Substitute Freya Symonds whipped a vicious cross into the front post for fellow replacement Kennard to contort and redirect the ball beyond Lauren Allen to make it 2-1 in the 90th minute.

City sensed an opportunity and reacted to the goal by withdrawing centre-half Hope Strauss for centreforward Shannon Shaw in a bid to draw level.

Three minutes later the change paid dividends. Shaw rose highest to meet a well-placed corner-kick to head home a dagger to the Dons in the 93rd minute of play.

All looked over, but one last Wimbledon attack in the 97th minute could only amount to a rattling Norwich City crossbar before the referee’s whistle drew a close to the frantic final 10 minutes.

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

MEGAN TODD Fw

Feature interview: lauren hailes

This week’s feature interview focuses on summer-signing Lauren Hailes. The 18-year-old reflects on her first season with the senior squad and gives an insight into life at Norwich City in an exciting season at the top of the table.

Let’s review Carrow Road briefly. First of all, what did you make of the day, with it being your first involvement there?

It was an incredible day. I’m very proud to have played my first minutes at Carrow Road. The support of the fans was brilliant and made the day so much more enjoyable.

Although it wasn’t the result we wanted on the day, you and the team can be proud to have encouraged nearly 6,000 fans to attend the match. How does that feel, knowing you have such a huge backing from the people of Norwich?

To have 6,000 fans cheering us on was such an immense feeling, it certainly gives you that extra

gear during the game to keep persevering. We are always so thankful for their support.

With only one team able to go up at the end of the season, it makes this league so competitive. Regardless of the league outcome, how proud are you looking back at this season’s performances and unbeaten run?

It’s always hard when you get to this stage of the season; the margins are so fine, there really isn’t any room for error. We have to keep pushing and stay strong, when pressure is high like this, anything can happen. It’s essential that we get everything out of these last few games to ensure we have done everything in our current control. When I look back on this season, I am so incredibly proud of

this squad. To be on an unbeaten run is astonishing and highlights what we are capable of as a team.

You’ve very much been an impact player this season, so having now scored for the team, just tell us what that means to you?

Getting my first senior goal for this club was a very special moment, but I think naturally my first reaction is wanting to give more. I want to provide more for the team, maybe score more, maybe assist more, but ultimately give everything I can to see us over the line.

This is your first season of senior women’s football, being one of our younger players in the side. What is the biggest thing you can takeaway from being a part of Norwich City Women this season?

Having played in the Under-21 WSL Academy league for two seasons prior to joining Norwich City Women I think it allowed me to gain knowledge around the game tactically that has been crucial in my journey into stepping up to women’s football. However, I think across this season I have learnt mental attributes of the game more deeply, like resilience and perseverance. Also, the importance of being a leader, we always need 11 leaders out on the pitch every week; communication is vital when considering the elements to a successful team.

It was another late and great comeback last Sunday against AFC Wimbledon. What did it mean to you and the team to show the league-leaders we just can’t be beaten, and we can actually battle with them?

Last Sunday was another example of how incredible our fans are. To have a whole coach full and more travel all that way to support us on Easter Sunday was spectacular. In the later stages of the game, their roaring support definitely gave us that little bit extra to recover a draw from two goals down.

As for the feeling when we scored both goals in the dying moments of the game, it was so empowering! It was a whole club effort; staff, starting XI, subs and travelling members of the squad. Everyone played an integral part in the game, and yes we didn’t get the win, but we all showed great resilience and togetherness, qualities I think would be considered even more valuable to help us achieve success in the future.

Cambridge City are going through a tough spell at the minute, so we will be looking to capitalise on that. How do you

expect Scott and the coaches to want you to approach that match?

Like any other game really. There is no doubt that they will want to beat us. We want to keep a clean sheet and score goals, but ultimately being a local derby and a league fixture, the three points are most crucial.

You got a full 90 minutes on Sunday in another fantastic win on the road. How do you recover and prepare now ahead of a tight turnaround on Tuesday?

I was so happy to get 90 minutes yesterday, I really enjoyed the game. I thought the team performed well and it was great we got the 3 points. We need to ensure we get adequate sleep, hydrate well and eat the right amounts of food to recover quickly in the tight turn around. We are all looking forward to face Cambridge City with our home crowd at the Nest.

CaMbridGe City oVerView

In our penultimate home game of the 2023/24 season, we welcome Cambridge City to The Nest.

The Lilywhites have had a difficult season in Division One South East, currently battling relegation down in 11th place.

With just nine points collected in two wins and three draws, Cambridge City will be hoping to close the gap today on Chesham United in tenth.

Their victories were both collected from Haywards Heath, in a 5-1 win at home and a 2-0 win away.

Home performances at The New Croft have helped City collect further points in draws against Cambridge United, London Seaward and AFC Sudbury.

Canary duo Shannon Shaw and Lauren Tomlinson will be making a return to their parent club, having both signed from the Lilywhites at the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

Rosy Wodhams is one to watch this weekend, as the club’s top scorer on six goals.

CaMbridGe united 2

nOrwiCH City 4

SUNDAY, APRIL 7

ABBEY STADIUM

Norwich City dispatched Cambridge United 4-2 at a packed out Abbey Stadium on Sunday, April 7 in their replayed FAWNL fixture.

Inspired and invigorated, the Canaries looked to build on Easter Sunday’s comeback point away to Wimbledon by going one better on their travels against Cambridge United.

Opposition player of the match, Lauren Webb, set the tone early on with a brave stop to deny Natasha Snelling inside two minutes. In the seventh minute, Norwich had what they thought to be the breakthrough as Snelling supplied Ellie Smith, but the offside flag would cut celebrations short.

Despite the positive start, it was the hosts that would break the deadlock against the run of play. Brook Cheal-Ferris collected a second ball from a corner and took advantage of the time allowed to her to pick her spot in the far corner from range.

The wide areas continued to prove fruitful for the Canaries, but it was a familiar face as the catalyst for City’s response. A weakly-hit goal-kick was pounced on by Smith before she was brought down in the area. Hope Strauss made no mistake from the spot and fired City level in the 27th minute.

In typical City fashion, they were back on the attack within seconds of the restart. Bright spark Holly

Kennard displayed a great turn of pace to beat her opponent before setting Natasha Snelling to fire home and turn the game on its head.

Webb remained busy and continued to deny the Canaries on several occasions before the interval, with Cambridge United’s biggest chance to respond coming in the form of a Simmons lob that could only find the roof of the net.

City burst out in the second half with equally impressive energy and a clinical edge as it took just four minutes to establish a two-goal cushion. Smith found Rachel Lawrence with an expertly timed run to beat a high offside trap before the winger unselfishly opted for the pass over the shot to find Snelling for her second and City’s third of the afternoon.

A flurry of chances for City were continuously thwarted by an inspired Webb, who kept her side

within striking distance, and in the 70th minute, they did just that through a simple, squared ball across the box for a simple finish.

The denial of a fourth goal continued through a combination of the linesman’s flag and the glove of Webb, with disallowed goals amounting to a total of three during the afternoon.

In the 72nd minute, the travelling City faithful were put to ease as the two-goal advantage was restored. Kennard whipped an in-swinging corner across the face of goal and an attempt by Symonds to connect was enough to ensure Webb was beaten.

With the City bench emptied, a set of fresh legs ensured the waves of attack continued, with Shannon Shaw going close to making it five if not for one final stop from Webb to ensure the score remained 4-2 at the final whistle.

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APRIL 3, 2024

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nOrwiCH

MARCH 17, 2024

City wOMen 2 - 2 Qpr wOMen CARROW ROAD

APRIL 3, 2024

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Norwich City Women’s Sarah Quantrill has been voted as the Player of the Month for March, presented by Sekura.id.

The City stopper has had a monumental impact in goal since joining the Canaries at the start of the summer and in a month that saw three draws against the other top four sides and a win in the semi-final of the Harrod Sport Women’s Cup.

Her performance against league-leaders AFC Wimbledon earned her Opposition Player of the Match and meant Scott Emmerson’s side took

home a point on the road, keeping the unbeaten league form intact.

On winning the award, Quantrill said: “Thank you to everyone that took the time to vote, it means a lot, especially as there were a lot of good performances this month.

“It’s been a mixed month with highs and lows; obviously we would have liked a few more wins, but to finish the month with the crazy comeback draw against Wimbledon just shows how strong our mentality is and hopefully more wins will come.”

APRIL 3, 2024

anna larkins and MeGan tOdd COSTESSEY GIRLS UNDER-9S TRAINING SESSION