February 9, 2025
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Welcome back, Steven.
This afternoon will
be
our toughest test of the season so far
Good afternoon and a warm welcome back to The Nest for today’s FA Women’s National League fixture against Chatham Town.
Chatham Town are an impressive team, who since being relegated from Tier 3 last season have enjoyed life in Tier 4, taking maximum points from nine fixtures and only losing one league fixture all season. This afternoon will be our toughest test of the season so far, without a doubt. That said, the players and staff are all fired up, as we look to put pressure on others around us in the promotion race.
Congratulations once again to Eloise Morran, who received another Scotland Under-19 international call up this week. Eloise and her Scotland teammates will face Iceland in a fixture double header at the end of this month. As a club
we work incredibly hard to develop of all players within our pathway, with Eloise being an important role model for all players within our girls’ academy.
I hope you enjoy this afternoon’s fixture and please get behind your City team, we will need every single one of you this afternoon cheering the team on!
OTBC.
Andy Cook
Head coach Andy Cook gave a detailed review into last Sunday’s exciting tie against then top of the table Real Bedford, then looked ahead to this weekend’s challenge against Chatham.
Another great performance yesterday against a top side in Real Bedford - what are your biggest takeaways from the game?
It was another strong performance against a quality side in Real Bedford, and I think there are a lot of positives to take from the game. First and foremost, our work rate and intensity were excellent. We knew they were a team that likes to dominate possession, but we pressed well, stayed disciplined, and made it difficult for them to find rhythm.
Defensively, I was really pleased with how we stayed compact and organised. We limited their clear-cut chances, and when we needed to dig in, we showed real resilience. Our transitions were also a big positive when we won the ball, we looked dangerous going forward, moving it quickly and creating good opportunities.
One of the biggest takeaways is how we competed physically and mentally. Against top sides it’s about fine margins, and we showed we can go toe-to-toe with strong opposition. Of course, there are always areas to improve; we could have been a bit more clinical in the final third and made better decisions in key moments but overall, it was a fantastic test, and the players responded brilliantly. It gives us a lot to build on moving forward.
Our bench on Sunday was one of the strongest many fans will have seen in a while, with Ellie Smith making her return to pitch for the first time since October. How pleased were you to have her back amongst the squad?
It was fantastic to have Ellie back in the squad after such a long spell out. She’s worked incredibly hard during her recovery, and seeing her back on the pitch was a real boost for everyone. Smithy is a player who brings so much quality, energy, and experience, and having her available again adds another dimension to our squad.
Beyond her ability on the ball, she’s a great presence in the dressing room, and you could see how much it meant to her and the team to have her back out there. She’s been patient, put in the hard work behind the scenes, and now it’s about managing her minutes carefully so she can build back up to full match fitness.
Having a strong bench is crucial as we go into the latter part of the season, and the depth we had on Sunday shows the level of competition within the squad. It pushes everyone to be at their best, and that’s exactly what we want. Seeing Smithy back in action was one of the real positives of the day, and we’re excited to see what she can bring in the coming weeks.
For the second week running we have to face the team at the top of the table. How are you feeling ahead of Sunday’s fixture?
These are exactly the kind of games you want to be involved in. Facing top of the table clashes back-to-back is a challenge, but it’s also a great opportunity to test ourselves against the best. It keeps us sharp, focused, and motivated to keep pushing our levels.
We know these games demand high standards in every aspect tactically, physically, and mentally. The key for us is to embrace the challenge, stay disciplined, and trust in the work we’ve been doing. We’ve shown we can compete with the top sides, and these matches give us a chance to prove that again.
Every game at this stage of the season is important, but these fixtures, in particular, can have a big impact on the table. We’re approaching them with confidence, knowing we have the quality, depth, and mentality to get results. It’s about focusing on our own performance, executing our game plan, and making sure we come away with something positive.
Real Bedford 1 Norwich City Women 1
A fantastic strike from Natasha Snelling was not enough for a win as City Women were held to a 1-1 draw by league leaders Real Bedford Women.
The striker put the Canaries ahead after half an hour but Pirates top-scorer Abbie Bensted found an equaliser in the second half.
Andy Cook named an unchanged side for the tie, only bringing in Ellie Smith to the bench for the first time since October following injury.
Sarah Quantrill was required to be alert early on as a shot from distance was fired on target, but the City stopper parried away for a corner.
City’s first chance came from a hopeful ball goalward by Snelling, who spotted Chloe Samson off her line, but the forward’s shot from distance was collected with a big stretch from the Bedford goalkeeper.
A Bedford corner was well placed to set up a header from Sofia Stovold in the box, but the forward narrowly missed the target.
Breon Grant hit the side netting after breaking free down the right approaching the half-hour mark, which looked to be Bedford’s best chance of the half.
The deadlock was then broken after 31 minutes, thanks to a fantastic strike from Snelling, set up perfectly by Holly Kennard.
The striker took an airborne touch to control the ball then rifled her shot into the back of the Bedford net.
A free-kick from a dangerous position taken by Layla O’Brien was no trouble for Quantrill, who moved low to gather the well-struck effort.
The first half was seen off with a dangerous looking press from the hosts that was cleared to safety by the Canaries, sending them in ahead at the break.
Some fantastic defending from Lauren Tomlinson and Ceri Flye was required early in the second 45 minutes deep into City’s half, both recovering possession for the Canaries down the right side.
A Bedford corner that followed had Quantrill punching behind a close-range effort that would have certainly been the equaliser the hosts were pushing for.
A rifled effort from the edge of the area by the Pirates’ Amber Gaylor was inches too high of the target at the hour mark.
O’Brien replicated that feat shortly after, narrowly firing over the crossbar.
City’s first dangerous attack of the second half came from a Freya Symonds ball to Olivia Cook, whose cross into the box was only cleared as far as Snelling, denied her second by a Bedford block.
With just over 15 minutes left on the clock, Smith was introduced to play, but soon after the hosts found their equaliser.
Bensted found space on the edge of the area to shoot into the bottom corner of City’s net.
A fantastic link-up between Kennard, Smith and Snelling saw the winger get a shot goalwards but her effort had too much power on it and flew over the bar.
Another diving save from Quantrill kept the scores level at the 90-minute mark, punching away a powerful Bedford strike.
The final chance to steal all three points came from Kennard, after a ball from a long throw fell to her feet in a busy box, but her effort was blocked and cleared to deny a winner.
Feature interview
Eloise Morran
City midfielder Eloise Morran was in the spotlight this week to discuss her experience with the Scotland Under-19 national team, recent performances and how they can overcome top-of-the-table Chatham.
An important point picked up this weekend against a top side on Sunday - what is your initial assessment to that performance?
It was a real team performance; we know Real Bedford are a team with quality but I thought you couldn’t fault our team’s bravery and resilience against them. The work of the ball and out of possession was class from everyone. Obviously, I think there will be disappointment as we ended up drawing from a winning position, but I think that makes us more determined than ever for the next few games.
Does it hurt more when we have the lead and then lose it, or is it just always tough drawing after a great performance?
I think both will never be easy, obviously it’s frustrating when you go a goal ahead to concede but sometimes games go like that. We just try to focus on what we can improve individually and collectively to ensure we can come away with a win in future games.
We are the only side to have lead Bedford at any point all season. What do you think that says about our team?
I think it’s credit to everyone, from players to staff; the work we have put in all season really showed against Bedford and the team’s togetherness and determination both in and out of possession really came through. It also shows the danger we have in our attacking play with so many different players chipping in with goals this year.
What’s it been like having so many pathway players introduced to the team this season, having joined the senior team from there yourself?
It’s brilliant to see honestly! It really shows the success of the pathway and also provides a clear route into women’s football for anyone in the pathway. All of the girls that have come up this season have made big impacts on the team this year which have been massive in our success so far.
You’ve played a few positions over the season as Andy has rotated the side - where is your favourite place to play and why?
I think for me it will always have to be central midfield that’s my favourite; I just love being in the thick of the action, connecting the play forwards but also getting involved with the defensive work too, but I’m happy to play anywhere on the pitch!
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We also had Ellie Smith back for her first game time since October. How exciting is that for the squad?
It was absolutely brilliant, I think we all know the quality Smithy brings to our team. She’s a real leader driving us forward in attack and always causing chaos in the opposition’s penalty area. I can’t wait to see her back in amongst the goals for us!
You enjoyed some time with the Scotland Under-19 national team
late last year. Tell us about that experience and what I meant to you?
It was such a good experience, we played in Euro qualifiers against the Netherlands, Sweden and Hungary. Getting the opportunity to play against some of the top European nations was brilliant and playing all the different styles of each nation was so challenging, but taught me so much about adapting to different situations and inspired me to bring what I had learnt back to Norwich.
Getting the opportunity to play against some of the top European nations was brilliant
Chatham Town have had a really good season so far; what are the expectations with this game given that they are the only side we haven’t faced yet?
I think we all know they will be a challenge as they have picked up many good results over the first half
of the season, but we know that if we produce a performance that we know we are capable of, then there’s no reason why we can’t go and beat them Sunday. Since Christmas, there has been a real drive within the team in both training and matches which I’m sure will pay off in the result and performance on Sunday.
Lara densLey
Lauren
Freya syMOnds
sIenna bOOTy
Lauren HaILes
IsabeLLe MOOre
Opposition Overview: Chatham Town
This weekend’s visitors are Chatham Town, the only team we are yet to face so far this season.
Town joined Division One South East at the start of the 2024/25 season after suffering relegation from the Southern Premier Division alongside London Bees.
The Chats travel almost 150 miles from Kent today as league leaders.
Town’s journey to the top spot comes from nine wins, four draws and only one loss all season, leaving them on 31 points; five ahead of City.
Their only defeat came against Actonians in their second fixture of the campaign, a tie that ended 1-0 after a solo goal from Dior Knorr.
They have won each of their last three away league fixtures, facing London Bees (2-1), London Seaward (3-1) and Chesham United (3-1).
Top scorer Otesha Charles is on 10 league goals so far in this campaign, most recently netting against Cambridge United.
Get to know...
Poppy Francis Olivia Cook
Place of birth
Norwich
Position
Full-back
Nickname
Pops
Preferred foot
Right
Favourite food
Fish
Favourite drink
Hot chocolate
First choice of snack
Mars bar
Last thing you do in the dressing room before a match
Make sure my socks are the same length
Pre-match song of choice
What you know by Two Door
Cinema Club
Who do you sit next to on the bus to away games
Drew Wilson
Favourite film
Paddington 2
Place of birth
Gorleston
Position Forward
Nickname
Cookie
Last concert you went to Little Mix
Favourite food
Spinach and tomato pasta
Favourite drink
Rubicon
First choice of snack
Banana
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
Favourite film
Mamma Mia
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.
Norwich City’s Olivia Cook has won the vote for the January Player of the Month award, presented by Sekura.id.
The forward played her part in all four January fixtures for the Canaries, starting each league win. She also collected four assists during an impressive month.
On winning the vote, she said: “I would like to thank everyone that has voted for me this month; the support you have given myself and the team in recent weeks at matches has really given us all confidence and drive and hopefully this is visible in our performances.
“Myself and the girls are looking forward to your continued support for the remainder of the season.
“I think January was a very positive month for all of us; we came back into the new year with a new mindset, and we have all been working hard in training and I think the results show that.
“We will now keep on pushing and focus on each game and training sessions as they come to make sure we are in the best position for matches.”
wOMen’s MasCOT PaCkaGe
Line up alongside your heroes at The Nest as part of our mascot experience packages with Norwich City Women.
Supporters can now purchase individual packages for the remaining home games at The Nest in the 2024/25 season.
Book your place HERE
junior mascots
saraH
CHardOnnay jOHnsTOn
eLLIe bIsHOP
CerI FLye
eLOIse MOrran
eLLIe
TaMsIn
eLLa POweLL
kaTIe knIGHTs
Lara
Freya syMOnds
Lauren HaILes
Issy MOOre
Lauren TOMLInsOn
sHannOn sHaw
OLIvIa COOk
jess barnes
HOPe sTrauss
sIenna bOOTy
HOLLy kennard
aMber LOCker drew wILsOn