Norwich City Women FC v Mulbarton Wanderers

32

In ThIs IssuE

5 NOTES FROM FLO

6 HEAD COACH NOTES

9 MATCH RPORT: WORTHING

12 MEET THE SQUAD

14 FEATURE INTERVIEW: MEGAN TODD

19 OPPOSITION INFO

21 GET TO KNOW

23 2023/24 FIXTURES & RESULTS

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notes from flo

Good afternoon and a warm welcome back to The Nest for the Harrod Sport Women’s Cup semi-final.

It was great to be back to league action last weekend after five weeks out and to still keep the unbeaten run intact.

Katie Knights and Anna Larkins were featured on BBC Radio Norfolk’s The Scrimmage podcast to analyse the game, getting in a great catch-up with Rob Butler and Chris Reeve.

Last week also confirmed the return of Lauren Hemp and the Lionesses to Norwich in July later this year, in a UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 qualifying match.

Today we are delighted to welcome back Mulbarton Wanderers, a side that have given us a great contest over the last few seasons in this competition.

This fixture is a re-run of the 2022/23 season final hosted at Carrow Road and we hope to see another exciting match for spectators at The Nest.

I would also like to give a special mention to Eloise Morran for her Under-19 Scotland Women European qualifying call-up. We are so proud of the hard work she and the coaches in our pathway and first team have put in to develop Eloise as a player.

Lastly, we are all looking forward to our longawaited Carrow Road return next Sunday, where over 4,000 of you will be in attendance, cheering on our squad.

OTBC!

coach’s comment

After his first match in charge last week, interim head coach Scott Emmerson reflects on the 1-1 draw against Worthing and looks ahead to this weekend against Mulbarton.

It was a tough test against a good side; how do you asses the match against Worthing and your first game in charge?

The game against Worthing was always going to be a tough challenge, to come straight back into the dugout at home is sometimes added pressure as well but overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable

experience. The management team have worked really hard to put this game plan in play and we thought we nearly cracked it. Unfortunately, Worthing crept back into the game, and we just weren’t able to get the win, which would have been a fantastic way to start. Nevertheless, it’s a point on the board and to have kept the unbeaten streak going is fantastic and it was a good morale boost for the squad.

It was the first draw in a while, so I imagine the girls and yourself might have felt a little disappointed, only because they have put in some fantastic performances so far this season. What was the mood like amongst the squad after the game?

Unfortunately, with the amount of postponements, it has been a while since the girls have played and they have set themselves really high standards as a group. They’re now on the understanding that they can actually win every single game that they go into, so anything less than that feels like a below par performance for them. That is where their bar has been set this season and that is a credit to them as a group, that they want to win every game and they are still in the title race, and with the unbeaten run it is a fantastic position to be in. It’s still there, we keep going for every point that we can get on the board, and we are still looking to win the title overall.

Onto the cup now and we’re in the semi-final of the Norfolk County Cup. You mentioned there were a couple of knocks picked up at the weekend, so what can fans expect on Sunday?

We are re-assessing everyone’s fitness; we are still waiting for confirmation on some players. If players are rules out for this weekend, then this will open the door for others to step up and be involved in the squad. We are in a fortunate position that we are carrying a good size squad and we are covering all positions overall, so we are happy with that and we feel that anyone can step in and do the job for us. This is a little bit of a distraction from the league campaign to then go for the county cup; it’s a great opportunity for the squad to fight for silverware and potentially have another visit to Carrow Road in the final. We’re looking forward to it and we welcome Mulbarton for a highly entertaining game.

nOrWIch cITy 1

WOrThInG 1

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

THE NEST

Norwich City Women maintained their unbeaten run in the FAWNL Division One South East, but could take just a point away from their home clash against third-placed Worthing.

After a prolonged spell without fixtures for the Canaries, there was no time to dust off the cobwebs as they hosted a strong opposition in Worthing at The Nest.

A seasonal grey sky and gentle drizzle welcomed the two sides on Sunday morning and the dreary

weather manifested a cautious opening quarter of an hour, with little to write home about for either side.

As customary with the Canaries, the first bright sparks manifested in the wide areas of the pitch. In the 17th minute, Rachel Lawrence asked the first question of Lauren Dolbear with a high looping effort that was well claimed.

Two minutes later it was Megan Todd tormenting on the opposite flank, first forcing a strong glove before the subsequent effort was deflected wide for a City corner.

The momentum continued and came to swift fruition in the 23rd minute through the familiar face of Ellie Smith. Skipper Anna Larkins whipped a delightful ball in from the right side for Smith to dive in bravely ahead of Dolbear to open the scoring.

Worthing continued to put some good phases of play together and caused most of their problems from the set-piece. In the 35th minute, a searching corner found an unmarked Worthing head in the penalty area, but the yellows were saved by a rattling crossbar, drawing a close to the first-half chances.

Norwich emerged from the tunnel in the second half continuing to play the better football. Lawrence and

Todd both had teasing crosses go begging around the hour mark, whilst a solitary and speculative effort from Izzy Glass-Oliver caused Sarah Quantrill little problems.

Play remained cagey and both sides slipped into a basketball-like counter-attacking gameplan as legs tired. In the 74th minute, it would be another testing Worthing set-piece that became the Canaries’ undoing as the ball bundled in off of Emily Linscer following a scramble in the area.

Despite the best efforts of Norwich, backed by the rallying of the near-250 in attendance at The Nest, the game would end a point apiece.

FEaTurE InTErvIEW: megan todd

This week’s feature interview with Megan Todd takes a dive into her player development in the United States, an assessment on Worthing and the build-up to Carrow Road.

Just summarise your feelings for me after Sunday’s game against Worthing? What do you think it was that stopped us taking all three points?

We want to win every game we play and obviously we were disappointed to concede from a set piece. However, Worthing are a good side, one of the toughest teams we have faced in the league. It could be another valuable point and after a long run without a league game, not to lose is a positive.

It was Scott’s first game in charge as interim head coach. How have you found his first couple of weeks with the squad?

Most of the girls in the team have been coached by Scott at some point in the pathway. I know Scott well and how he operates. Scott has been observing

how we work, checking in with players and starting to add small details to our game plan. Scott has been a great fit and I know he cares so much about the football club.

As the Girls and Women’s Football Development Manager at the Foundation, you have had your hand in coaching and management for a few years. You also play a part in the leadership team within the squad - do you find there are a lot of younger players who turn to you for advice?

All I do is try and be a good team mate to the players. As an older player, I have a lot of experience and I try to help the girls understand the ups and downs in football. There are some really talented girls in this squad and the pathway, so I try and

advise them the best I can. It’s up to them if they want to listen - they most likely get fed up of me nagging them!

Going back a few years, you spent some time out in the US getting your Bachelor’s degree and getting a taste for the American game. How would you say that developed you as a player and what are the big differences between playing the US and the UK?

I think this part of my journey played a massive part in who I am today. I think the biggest take away from my time in the States is the mental side of the game. It’s very competitive and nothing is given to you, so it can be brutal at times. This is what I think has led me to have quite a resilient mindset. Their athleticism is another level, so it took me a while to get even near the fitness levels. It was an

amazing experience, I got to travel the States, play in some amazing places and with/against some great players.

This weekend is a competition you are no stranger to, having played your fair share of County Cup matches. What can we expect from the squad this weekend, especially those who have never played in this cup and who might get more minutes than usual?

The County Cup is always a cup we are proud to play in, it means a lot to this club. There is also an expectation and pressure for us to win and the team knows that. These games are never easy and opposition can be tough to break down as they want to stay in the game as long as possible. We know we need to focus on our jobs, stay patient and we believe we can then progress to the final.

How many times now have you lifted the trophy during your time as a Canary?

What has been your favourite and most distinct memory of the cup?

Two times with Norwich. I think the most distinct memory for me is on a personal level when we beat Mulbarton in the cup in 2021. I returned back late in that season after my second ACL tear. To come back and win a trophy, as well as it being the first time with Norwich, was special. I even got the opening goal!

Mulbarton are a side we faced in the final last year and the year before they were triumphant against us at The Nest. What do you make of their side and what can we take from our previous matches against them?

We never taken anyone who we play lightly. I think what makes cup competitions so special is that anything can happen. In

the past they have shown they can beat us which makes it vital we prepare like we would any other team in the league. However, we have come along way since that game and we have a lot of quality in the squad. We will focus on us and our jobs to give us the best chance to win the game.

Our next league match will see us play host at Carrow Road to QPR, a place you are pretty comfortable scoring at! What is the feeling around camp ahead of the game?

We want to put in a good performance and get the three points. We love playing at Carrow Road in such special occasions. The Ashford game was great for the neutral, but I don’t think we performed to the level we expect in the Cambridge United game. This time around we really want to show everyone the football we can play and get the three points to head into the big clash against Wimbledon the following week.

muLbarTOn WandErErs oVerView

We’re back at The Nest for the second week running, today playing host to our semi-final opponents Mulbarton Wanderers.

Wanderers reside in seventh place of the Eastern Region Women’s Division One North, two tiers below Norwich City.

In nine league games played, Mulbarton have four wins, three draws and two losses, with four games in hand over league leaders Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers.

These two sides were last in action at Carrow Road in the final of this same

competition during the 2022/23 season, where the Canaries ran out 3-0 winners.

After a goalless first half, Ceri Flye, Liv Cook and Katie Knights all got themselves on the scoresheet to help Norwich to a seventh County Cup trophy.

The previous campaign saw Mulbarton take victory over City, getting the better of the Canaries in a penalty shoot-out at The Nest in the semi-final.

The Bluebells went on to lose 2-0 to Wymondham Town in the final that year.

A Guide To Being Your Own Mindset Coach

Having a Mindset Coach is a game-changer. I would say that; it’s what I do. But being your own Coach is also fabulous especially when you’re feeling stuck or in a negative frame of mind.

An important bit of science: Our brains process things properly when they are spoken out loud or written down. So talk to yourself or grab a sheet of paper.

List out all the things that you’re keeping inside that are making you feel stuck or negative.

All of them. Tell yourself it’s OK to feel like this. Do not judge yourself or be hard on yourself.

What is behind feeling like this? List out the why (or all of them). Even if it comes into your head and makes no sense, write it down or say it out loud. All of it.

Ask yourself what else is behind this?

What is the limiting belief that is at the root of this feeling - don’t force it, just allow the words out.

Allow your brain to process this new level of seeing your thoughts.

Now they are no longer just in your head, your brain will ‘see’ them and work its magic on processing them.

You might now have an idea, solution or thought when you least expect it. It is very important to recognise that; capture it so you have it saved. You can then act on it when the time is right.

Floss Andrews is a Personal Development and Mindset Coach supporting footballers, their families and those in the sports industry, thrive on, off and beyond the pitch.

get to know...

sarah quantrill

Place of birth Norwich

Position Goalkeeper

Preferred foot Right

Nickname Quants

31 33 amber locker

Footballing idol David Seaman

Age when started playing Ten

Favourite food Roast dinner

Favourite film Harry Potter

Favourite sport that isn’t football Speedway

Favourite holiday destination Portugal

Place of birth King’s Lynn

Position

Goalkeeper

Preferred foot Right

Nickname Rosie

Footballing idol Mary Earps

Previous clubs

Blofield Girls, Dussindale Girls, Holly Meadows Youth

Favourite food Curry

Favourite film Kingsman

Favourite sport that isn’t football Track

Pre-match song of choice Cars Outside by James Arthur

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