sunday, november 24, 2024
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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 welcome back to the Nest for our 2nd round Adobe Women’s FA Cup fixture.
Today we face a fellow Tier 4 side in Leafield Athletic, with Leafield operating within the Midlands division. We know that they will be a side travelling to Norfolk in high spirits, demonstrating an impressive league form as of late, currently placed joint-top of their division.
After back-to-back defeats, all our players and staff are determined to get back to winning ways in front of a home crowd at The Nest. Throughout the week and building up to this fixture, there has been opportunity for review, reflection and laser-focussed preparation to get ready for this afternoon’s FA Cup fixture. The winner of today’s tie will
be rewarded with an opportunity to be drawn against a Championship side, as these teams will enter the competition at this round.
Since we last played a home fixture, Eloise Morran has received another Under-19s Scotland call-up for their European Championship round one qualifier. Eloise will meet up with the squad following the conclusion of this afternoon’s fixture and we wish her all the best whilst she is away with Scotland.
We hope you enjoy this afternoon’s encounter and that we return to winning ways.
OTBC.
Andy Cook
I know many players are trying to change the game, which is great to see people wanting the game to grow.
Head coach Andy Cook reflects on a challenging game last weekend and discusses our FA Cup round two opponents.
A disappointing result on Sunday, what do you think went wrong for us?
I think when we look back there’s a fine margin between the wins and loss. We created chances and played well in moments however it’s not been there for 90 minutes. This is what we want this weekend.
On a positive note, it was great to play in a stadium like Loftus Road, with all Championship and WSL teams also getting to play in their club’s main stadiums. What impact do you think that has in the growth of women’s football?
It’s huge. Great for clubs to host the games at the main stadia. This will continue to grow. It will be 10-15 years before this becomes the
norm, that’s cultural and social in the UK. The next part will be the funding and increase in prize money for female teams. I know many players are trying to change the game, which is great to see people wanting the game to grow.
We’re back in the FA Cup this weekend and we play a challenging team in Leafield Athletic. How good is it to play teams in our league equivalent and build on our strengths?
Leafield are a good side and they are playing well this season. They are doing everything well in the games I’ve seen. I know Tash really well having coached against her several times while she was a player and now seeing her move to the touchline is great it will be good to share the touchline with her.
QPR 2 Norwich City Women 1
Norwich City Women suffered a second straight defeat at the MATRADE Loftus Road Stadium on Sunday afternoon, in a 2-1 loss in Division One south East.
Despite finding an equaliser through Ceri Flye shortly after the opener, the hosts rose to the occasion and netted a late winner to seal all three points.
It was a steady opening 15 minutes for both sides as their familiarised themselves with the grass pitch at Loftus Road, neither goalkeeper being tested early on.
Freya Symonds managed a crossturned-shot after pressing high and winning City the ball deep into QPR’s half, but the effort was collected by Nicole Melling in goal.
The Canaries had a prolonged spell of possession once the clock hit 20 minutes, putting pressure on the hosts to defend but none of their shots could find the back of the net for an opener.
The best chance of the half came from Ellie Bishop, who made a driving run to find Symonds, who in turn tried to set-up Shannon Shaw in the box but Melling was there to block.
Symonds then had a go herself from the edge of the area after a lovely flick on from Holly Kennard, but
Melling punched away and City could only earn a corner.
City continued to have shot after shot at Melling, Lauren Tomlinson, Millie Daviss, Symonds and Kennard all having a go but none could evade a blue and white shirt to get a first-half goal.
The second half then got underway and QPR got straight to work, as Grace Stanley collected the ball in the box and rounded Sarah Quantrill to tap home the opener in the 46th minute.
City then stepped up the tempo and after winning the corner then getting the subsequent header to find the equaliser, Flye rose highest from the set-piece and headed home to make it 1-1 ten minutes later.
Flye had the ball in the back of the net once again shortly after but no goal was given when the referee flagged a hand ball in the box.
The centre-back was later forced into action down the other end of the pitch, making an important block to stop a Chambers-Ward shot in a dangerous area.
With just five minutes left on the clock, QPR found a way through from a thrown in deep into the Norwich half, substitute Meila D’Santos netting from close-range to find a late winner.
Freya
Feature interview
Ella Powell
Ella Powell sat down with the club to give an update on her injury and reflect on the season now we have reached the halfway point.
We narrowly lost out to QPR at Loftus Road on Sunday, what did you make of that performance?
Sunday afternoon, the girls worked hard until the final whistle, and we were gutted by the result. However, we took a lot away from the game, both good and bad, which we have reflected on and will put into action in our next game and going forward. This week, the girls have been working hard on and off the training pitch, and I am confident you will see this in action over the weekend.
Although you didn’t play in this fixture, what is the feeling in the squad around
playing away at big stadiums, do they love the occasion?
The girls love and appreciate the opportunity to play at a large stadium and in front of supporters. When we were all younger, most of us would have watched games on TV and thought, “I’d love to play in one of these stadiums someday.” Every occasion we get to play at Carrow Road or another team’s stadium, it’s always a pinch-me moment.
How have you found your first few months with the Canaries, are you fully settled now?
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first few months
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playing for Norwich. The coaching staff and the girls have made me feel relaxed, and I believe I have settled well to the environment. It feels like I’ve been here far longer than I actually have.
Did you grow up in Norwich; what did you know of the area before moving here in the summer?
I grew up in Leicestershire, but I spent a lot of my childhood in Norfolk as my grandparents lived in Cromer, and I frequently visited Norwich. It’s a complete full circle moment for me to be living and playing for Norwich, since I used to own a Norwich goalkeeper kit when I was younger.
Tell us about your injury, firstly, what is the injury and how did you pick it up?
I’m currently suffering with a hip issue that has reoccurred following an injury that sidelined me last season. Hopefully I will receive a full diagnosis within the coming weeks, which should put me on track to playing again.
Secondly, how is recovery going and do you have an expected time to be back on the pitch?
Recovery is going well and in the right direction, and I am appreciative for all of the staff’s support, especially Gill, our physio, who has been excellent in dealing with me throughout the process and guiding me in the gym with my rehab program. On a positive note, I think me and Gill have really bonded during this time, especially when exchanging photos of each other’s dogs!
We have begun the season on a positive note and have maintained positive performances throughout.
Your support, despite being on the sidelines, has been amazing, attending every game, home or away - how can you help from the sidelines and do your part to spur the team on?
I enjoy going to games and doing my best to encourage the squad while on the sidelines. I think it is important for me to be around the matchday squad, so I can see the style of play each week and most importantly not be a stranger to the girls!
We’re now at the halfway point of the season and probably not where we want to be in the table right now. How do you assess this season so far and what do we do to pick up some positive results and move back up to the top of the table?
We have begun the season on a positive note and have maintained positive performances throughout. The fact that results do not always go your way does not represent how we play. There is still half of the season left and a lot of games to play, so anything can happen. We have a talented group of players, so I am excited to see how the rest of the season unfolds.
This weekend is the second round of the FA Cup, how and we face a good side in Leafield Athletic. What are we hoping to get out of that fixture?
Leafield Athletic has had a strong start to the season, and Sunday will be a challenging game. I’ve previously played with some of their players, so it should be a thrilling game! When it comes to the FA Cup, there is always an extra special feeling, and I am confident that all of the girls will be geared up for this game. I hope we can bring as many supporters as possible, and your support is always appreciated, all the noise and support acts as the 12th person on the pitch!
Opposition Overview: Leafield Athletic
This weekend we welcome the return of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup alongside our opponents for the day, Leafield Athletic.
The Solihull-based side play in Division One Midlands, currently occupying second in the table, joint on points with Northampton Town in first.
Formed in 1997, the club was one of the first in the Midlands dedicated to the female game, having had
many a name pass through, including former Lioness Eni Aluko.
Leafield’s journey to today’s fixture comes after a 3-1 win away from home to Derby County, which followed a 3-0 win at home to Lye Town Ladies.
Top scorer Evangeline Gallop is one to watch today, having netted 10 times for her side so far this season, closely followed by Jessica Lowe with six goals.
Get to know...
Katie Knights Olivia Cook
Place of birth
Gorleston
Position
Forward
Nickname
Cookie
Favourite film
Mamma Mia
Favourite food
Spinach and tomato pasta
First choice of snack
Banana
Last concert you went to
Little Mix’s last concert
Last thing you do in the dressing room before a match
High five team and say good
luck
Pre-match song of choice
Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore
Who do you sit next to on the bus to away games
Freya Symonds
Best football match you’ve ever watched
Norwich v Ipswich
Last holiday destination you visited
Paris
Place of birth
Norwich
Position
Centre-mid
Nickname KK
Favourite film
Cool Runnings
Favourite food
Enchiladas
First choice of snack
Banana bread
Last concert you went to Beyonce
Last thing you do in the dressing room before a match
Dance
Pre-match song of choice
All of the lights – 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
Last holiday destination you visited
Portugal
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HEAd cOAcH: Andy cOOk
Lara densLey
Freya symonds
Lauren HaILes
Issy moore
Lauren TomLInson
sHannon sHaw
oLIvIa Cook
jess barnes
HoPe sTrauss
sIenna booTy
eLLa PoweLL
kaTIe
HoLLy kennard