city sunday, november 12, 2023
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2023/24
202 3/24
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in this issue 5
NOTES FROM FLO
6
HEAD COACH NOTES
9
MATCH REPORT: ASHFORD TOWN
10
MEET THE SQUAD
12
FEATURE INTERVIEW: LAUREN TOMLINSON
17
OPPOSITION INFO
18
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 welcome to The Nest for our women’s FA Cup first round proper encounter against Hashtag United. Today’s opponents will be familiar to many Canary fans who followed our side closely last season. Formerly of tier four, Hashtag United have enjoyed a fantastic start to life in tier three and will be the toughest test of our campaign to date as we look to advance to the second round proper of the competition.
injury that forced her off the pitch in the early moments of last weekends game. This afternoon’s fixture marks the start of a tough run of fixtures that our team will endure, with matches against Worthing and AFC Wimbledon to follow in the coming weeks. I know how hard our head coach Martin Herdman and the rest of the support staff are working to continually develop the players and team on a weekly basis, which hopefully will continue to be rewarded with positive performances over the coming weeks.
Last weekend we welcomed our highest attendance of the season to The Nest for our match with Ashford Town. It was brilliant to see so many fans in yellow and green enjoying our 4-2 victory. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Norwich City to wish Ashford Town’s number eight Aimee Durn a speedy recovery after she sustained an
OTBC 5
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F R E E 1 - DAY T R I A L
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COACH’S COMMENT
coach’s comment This week’s catch-up with Martin Herdman includes his thoughts on our recent win over Ashford Town and today’s FA Cup challenge against The Tags. Another three points on the board Sunday and a mostly great performance. Could you have asked for much more from the team?
make sure we remain humble and on task. We have belief in our squad that we can be really competitive and we think we can be again this weekend.
It was a great performance and almost our most complete in terms of dominating the ball and creating chances. I was really proud of how they lived in our identity and carried out our game plan. It shows how far we have come that we are disappointed to concede two late sloppy goals.
An FA Cup run is always a bonus for a side like us, so how do we take our learnings from this game into a continued impressive league start? Like the London Bees game, we have a chance to put our wits against a team a division higher. We will have different players in the squad to the Bees game so I’m excited to see them really bring their energy and skill set to this game.
We turn our attention back to the cup this weekend, with a visit from Hashtag United. They’re a strong side who we’ve struggled against in the past, so how do we approach this game?
We’re back home again this weekend in front of (hopefully) another great crowd. How nice was it to see such a great showing of support, including your own family?
Hashtag United are one of the strongest teams below Tier Two football. I would not be surprised at all if they are a Championship team next season. However, the FA Cup is rich in history and there is always a chance for an upset. We will plan like we normally do and hope we can really give them a game.
I think we were just so happy and excited to be back home. It felt great knowing we had the fans behind us, and they backed us in force. I think there is a really cool connection between players and fans with a regular core of fans now becoming part of our extended family. It was great to have my wife and son at the game it’s their first game since moving down, but now they will be regulars and part of the fan base cheering us on.
As Alice said in her post-match interview, they’ve had a good start to the season, but so have we. Is belief a really big part of training for games like these? We are really enjoying our football right now. It’s important not to get too carried away though and 7
MATCH REPORT
NORWICH CITY ashford town
4 2
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 THE NEST right, was feeling brave and had the most promising chance of the opening 20, with an effort that smashed the bar from distance.
Norwich City Women claimed all three points at The Nest and extended their league run to eight games unbeaten, edging out Ashford Town 4-2 in a six-goal league thriller.
The visitors were lucky to keep it 0-0 shortly after, as a looping ball going goalwards from an orange shirt was not collected by Emma Vigolo in goal and Town were unable to clear from Lawrence who pounced, but her ball in was blocked.
Despite the three-goal lead at half-time, it took the Canaries 40 minutes to find the back of the net, after much control of the first 45. Martin Herdman had made five changes from the cup fixture against London Bees last week, bringing back Natasha Snelling, Eloise Morran, Katie Knights, Alice Parker and Rachel Lawrence to the starting line-up.
This followed with an attacking spell from the Tangerines, who put the back line under pressure, but nothing came from any forward balls and an eventual offside was given.
Snelling returned comfortably to her usual threatening position in the box, as she had the first shot of the half inside five minutes, but couldn’t find enough power.
Then came Norwich’s goal-spree as Snelling’s low shot went through the hands of Vigolo and into the back of the net to make it 1-0 with five minutes to go in the first half.
Parker, who was playing slightly higher up on the 8
MATCH REPORT
It then became the Alice Parker show, as she made a drive down the right and was given space to shoot from distance, finding the bottom corner to make it two in injury time.
from distance twice but couldn’t find the accuracy of the first half.
Two minutes later and she made it three as she replicated her Carrow Road goal from a free-kick, finding the top corner in the third minute of injury time.
Todd had a header denied from close-range before Knights looked to put the game to bed with Norwich’s fourth. The number 16 made a drive down the left and with nine minutes of normal time to go, slotted home into the back of the net.
There were shouts for a penalty early in the second half as Ceri Flye went down in Town’s box but the referee gave her a yellow card for a dive.
The Canaries relaxed a little too much and Ashley Cheatley punished them with three minutes to go, beating Sarah Quantrill in goal.
Lawrence looked keen to get her name on the scoresheet as she had three chances in the space of five minutes, but she couldn’t find the target or beat the keeper.
Just four minutes later and Ashford netted their second from a free-kick. It was a nervous finish for Norwich, but they held their ground in the final injury time minutes and it remained 4-2.
Parker was also keen to extend the gap as she shot 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: LAUREN TOMLINSON
feature interview: LAUREN TOMLINSON
12
FEATURE INTERVIEW: LAUREN TOMLINSON
Lauren Tomlinson joins us for this week’s feature interview, talking about what it’s like to play for the club, how she is settling in since joining and team morale. You’re getting regular minutes in the team and settling in nicely to your role. How different is playing here to playing with Cambridge City?
Myself and Kathy [Stanley] were close and I’m excited for her to experience Canada! You got your first goal for Norwich City against Actonians and it was a lovely finish! Just talk us through it; what was going through your head and how did it feel afterwards?
It has been fantastic to play alongside so many talented players and with an unbeaten league run, we have so much more to achieve as a team! There is a real sense of family and togetherness at Norwich everyone supports each other!
I was recovering my minor ligament damage during this game, so I wasn’t sure I was going to play but was super excited when Robyn and Will signed me off to play. I even impressed myself with this goal!
I started at Cambridge City at Under-9’s level and the group of girls I started with formed their first women’s side. We had many good managers in the earlier years and it was time to move on and start a new challenge.
We’ve been working on our shooting and it paid off! The feeling afterwards was amazing as my first goal for the club; this was the game where I showed Martin what I can do from multiple positions.
There is so much challenge and progression here at Norwich and all of the staff want to see the best out of you as a player and team.
As a full time outdoor pursuits instructor, fitness is key for you both on and off the pitch. Have you found a real change in training since joining the club?
The team seem to be really close and working well as a group. We have plenty of personalities within the squad - who for you has stood out since joining the side?
It’s amazing to be able to train for two hours or more twice a week, whether this be classroom analysis, gym strength and recovery sessions or high intensity work on the pitch. Everything is very well organised and the players are all committed to being there as much as possible.
I haven’t been at Norwich long but it feels like I’ve been here years. I get along with all of the girls; the younger girls are teaching me the youth lingo and [Sarah] Quants settles me back into my age group with Sudoku before training! 13
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FEATURE INTERVIEW: LAUREN TOMLINSON
What have you made of the set-up here at Norwich, including the training facilities, The Nest and coaching team?
ethos. We all want to be better players and as we’re aiming for promotion, we all need to be performing at our best.
I have to pinch myself all the time, I am very appreciative of what we’re offered and the facilities we have, as I’ve never had anything like it. I am such a sucker for the team bus and Flo always laughs because I’m always so excited to travel with the team!
One thing you have shown we can really use to our advantage, is your long throw. Is that something you’ve practiced in your footballing career or did it just come naturally?!
The coaching team are amazing but wouldn’t be able to work without everyone else! There are so many members of our staff team that make it all click. Gills and Will do amazing jobs keeping us fit; Flo organising everything behind the scenes, Hamish, Alex G and Alex B for all socials, Josh for analysis and so many others I am very grateful for. This is a really strong squad this season, and it’s only growing. Would you say it’s healthy competition, pushing you all to perform at your best all of the time? Absolutely, we all push to support each other too. If someone hasn’t been picked that week the players are still supporting the player, playing in their position to better the team and get a win. Every player is very good at putting the team before themselves which is a club 15
I haven’t practiced throws before and haven’t specifically trained in the gym for it, it’s just something I have been able to do! Liv Cook provides some healthy competition for me on throws too! Finally, we’ve had an excellent start to the season, going completely unbeaten in our first eight games in the league. What helps for you personally and also the team, to keep the belief going that we are one of the best teams in the league and clubs will fear playing us? We all just hype each other up, remind each other of our strengths! Our resilience coach, Floss helps us as a team push our boundaries and support one another on and off the pitch to support the route to promotion! Personally, my belief comes from simply being around the squad and seeing how we can punish teams week in, week out!
OPPOSITION INFO
hashtag united
OVERVIEW This weekend we welcome Hashtag United back to The Nest in round one of the FA Cup. The Essex-based team started in 2004 as Basildon Town Ladies and has since undergone several name changes to reach the now well-known ‘Hashtag United’. In seven seasons, the club has retained five county cup wins and hails themselves as the most successful women’s team in Essex. Off the back of promotion to the Southern Premier Division at the end of the 2022/23 season, the Tags have had a flying start to their campaign. 17
Their opening nine league fixtures have seen eight wins and just one loss, leaving them second in the table, equal on points to top-of-the-table Plymouth. Top scorer Samantha Rowland is one-towatch in this clash, who put three past Norwich last season and won Opposition Player of the Match during the clash in Basildon. With a bye into the first round, Hashtag’s first FA Cup action comes against the Canaries this afternoon.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
player of the month: megan todd Megan Todd has been voted for by fans as Norwich City Women’s Player of the Month for October, presented by Sekura.id.
Yellows, which included extra-time in the League Cup against the Cherries. She said: “I just want to thank everyone who has taken the time to vote this month; it is such a special feeling to win an award like this.
The forward netted twice last month, getting the equaliser against QPR at Loftus Road and one of the three goals against London Seaward in the FA Cup.
“I would also like to thank the supporters so far this season, especially those who have travelled to the away games to support us. You don’t go unnoticed!”
The number seven also put in a mighty shift during the month, playing all available 390 minutes for the 18
NCFCW NEWS
stanley unavailable for remainder of the season Norwich City Women’s Kathryn Stanley will be unavailable for the remainder of the 2023/24 season as she takes up a work opportunity in Canada. Stanley played what is expected to be her last game of this campaign at The Nest on Sunday, November 5, during City’s 4-2 win over Ashford Town. She has been part of the club since 2017, helping Norwich to numerous County cup wins, FA Cup and League Cup runs. Everybody at the club wishes her all the best during her time in Canada. 19
GET TO KNOW...
get to know... 16
katie knights
17
jess harper
Place of birth
Norwich
Place of birth
Norwich
Position
Centre-midfield
Position
Right-back
Preferred foot
Right
Preferred foot
Right
Age when started playing
Six
Age when started playing
Seven
Footballing idol
Frank Lampard
Footballing idol
Lucy Bronze
Favourite goal scored
County Cup Final 2023
Favourite sport that isn’t football
Futsal
Favourite sport that isn’t football
Tennis
Pre-match song of choice
Who’s That Girl by Eve
Pre-match song of choice
All Of The Lights by Kanye West
Favourite holiday destination
Greece
Favourite food
Enchiladas
What do you love most about Norwich as a city?
The restaurants
Favourite film
Cool Runnings
Favourite film
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
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 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
ASHFORD TOWN HASHTAG UNTED fa cup WORTHING
4-2 15.00 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 WORTHING CAMBRIDGE UNITED ASHFORD TOWN QPR ACTONIANS LONDON SEAWARD CHESHAM UNITED AFC SUDBURY HAYWARDS HEATH TOWN CAMBRIDGE CITY
*TABLES CORRECT AS OF 3/11/2023
21
p
w
d
l gd pts
9 8 9 7 9 8 10 7 8 9 8 8
8 6 5 5 5 4 3 2 2 1 1 0
0 2 3 0 0 2 2 2 0 3 0 2
1 28 24 0 17 20 1 5 18 2 9 15 4 4 15 2 7 14 5 -3 11 3 -2 8 6 -12 6 5 -14 6 7 -17 3 6 -22 2
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