SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2025
Notes from Flo Allen
Good afternoon and welcome to The Nest for our first FA Women’s National League fixture of the season against Actonians.
It has been well over 100 days since we last played a competitive fixture and within this time there has been plenty of advancements to the women’s football department at the club, with further steps taken to continue the professionalisation of the programme, including professional contracts and significant developments to the training model.
As with any period of change, there are always challenging moments and conversations to navigate, but I would like to take this opportunity to place on record our thanks to the players who departed the club: Megan Todd, Eloise Morran, Ella Powell, Lauren Tomlinson, Shannon Shaw and Jess Barnes. All players depart the club with our best wishes and we thank them for their commitment throughout their time at the club.
As a club we are delighted with the recruitment carried out over the close season to strengthen the squad, welcoming five new summer
signings. Eloise King joined from Hashtag United, Evie Williams from Ipswich Town, Eloise Hall from Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s PGA, Holly Mears from Nottingham Forrest and Grace Riglar from Blackburn Rovers. All five players join us from teams in higher tiers, all players bring different qualities and valuable experience to add to the quality of our existing squad.
We have also welcomed Hugh McCluskie to the club, in the position of goalkeeper coach. His coaching pedigree and experience in the women’s game stood out and throughout pre-season Hugh has already proved to be an excellent addition to our on-pitch coaching team.
My last words are to our loyal fan base, thank you for your unwavering support. This season we have again witnessed season ticket sales increase from the previous year and your support will be key to our promotion hunt this season.
Enjoy this afternoon’s fixture, OTBC.
Head Coach Notes
Head coach Andy Cook previewed this weekend’s match against Actonians and gave an update to Sarah Quantrill’s injury.
Sunday’s fixture marked the end of preseason, what did you make of the game?
It was a good contest, Moneyfields are obviously a good side from down south. I know a lot of the players and Carl well, so it was good to have them here with us. They’ve spent the weekend in Norfolk like a lot of teams do to spend time together when they come to visit. It was a good game, we were happy with it, it was a good 45 minutes for a lot of players and everything was as we planned, so I am really pleased with the way pre-season has ended.
It was a tightly contested game between the two sides, is that exactly what you wanted in the final pre-season test?
We wanted to make sure that this game was against a Tier 3 or Tier 4 side that were up there with us, that we are going to be in and around the mix with who are trying to achieve what we are as well. It was a very closely contested game, one that we are really pleased with how we worked throughout the 90.
Andy Cook
As you said, everyone here got at least 45 minutes with two different sides for each half, how does that set you up for the season starting this weekend?
We’ve got two games in three days coming up; we start on Sunday against Actonians and then we have Peterborough in the league cup on Tuesday night. So, we have got to focus on both and make sure that everybody is ready for that. Sunday’s game was a part of that preparation. We can’t wait to get going now.
There was no Sarah Quantrill in the squad Sunday, what is the latest update with her?
She has a little break unfortunately, a fracture to her thumb, so she will be out for a little while. It’s one of them ones where we’ve got to make sure she is in the best place, she’s got the best cover here and the best medical care that she can. We’ll be assessing her and seeing how she goes but we brought in Holly Mears who is a fantastic goalkeeper of good pedigree and experience. We want to make sure that she gets more of that with us, so she will be playing whilst Quants in on the sidelines.
Last time out
Norwich City 1 Moneyfields 1
Sunday, August 10
Norwich City closed their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against Tier 4 opposition Moneyfields on Sunday afternoon at the Avant Training Centre.
Freya Symonds was on the scoresheet for the Canaries, converting from the spot after a foul on Olivia Cook.
Andy Cook made nine changes to his second-half side, only Evie Williams and Holly Mears keeping their place in both halves.
Mears stepped up to replace the injured Sarah Quantrill, who picked up a hand injury last weekend in City’s pre-season tie against Watford last weekend.
City had the first chance in the opening minutes of play, Ellie Smith with some great hold-up play on the edge of the box to slot a ball to Lara Densley waiting in the wings, but the forward’s effort was blocked and cleared by the Moneys’ goalkeeper Mia King.
Smith then linked up well with Poppy Francis down the left wing, earning Norwich the first corner of the game.
The resulting set-piece floated about in the box after a header from Williams, the defender eventually getting a shot that was deflected by a green shirt and collected by King.
Moneyfields captain Ali Hall dragged a shot just wide of Mears’ goal in a convincing effort from the visitors.
A fantastic ball from Issy Moore reached Lauren Hailes, who turned and lost her opponent on the left, crossing into the box but only finding Moneyfield shirts.
Immediately down the other end on the break, Beth Bugess sent the ball goalward but Mears scooped up to prevent a shot on the end of the cross.
The final chance of the goalless half came through Densley, who found herself through on goal from 30 yards out and shot from just outside the area, her effort flying narrowly high.
City then went ahead 10 minutes into the second half after a foul was given when King brought down Olivia Cook in the box.
Symonds stepped up to take it and rolled her strike into the bottom corner to convert.
Ceri Flye slotted a perfect ball to Cook racing down the right wing from deep in City’s half shortly after the goal, but the winger’s cross was snatched out of the path of Snelling waiting in the box by Moneyfields’ King.
A well-struck effort from Moneyfields substitute Tierney Scott went straight to the palms of Mears, followed shortly after by a flick-on from Shannon Albuerry whose effort rolled across goal, narrowly missing the target.
The Division One South West side then found their equaliser through Brooke Garcia, who rifled a shot into the top corner to make it 1-1 with 10 minutes to play.
The game evened out in the dying minutes, both sides creating chances in the final third but neither were able to snatch the winning goal.
2025/26 Squad
2 3 5 6 8 12 22 25
Sarah Quantrill Amber Locker Holly Mears
Grace Riglar Ellie Bishop
Ceri Flye
Evie Williams
Millie Daviss Tamsin Medd-Gill Poppy Francis Hope Strauss
Eloise King
Ellie Smith Freya Symonds
Lauren Hailes
Issy Moore
Drew Wilson
Sienna Booty
Eloise Hall
Natasha Snelling Holly Kennard
Lara Densley
Olivia Cook
Feature Interview: Freya Symonds
Freya Symonds is this week’s featured player, discussing how she spent her free time in the off-season and how the squad has been preparing for the 2025/26 campaign.
The day is finally here, the 2025/26 season starts today. How have you been over the summer and what did you get up to in the weeks off?
Very well, thank you. It’s been a refreshing break from football. I took some time for myself; went on holiday, spent quality time with family and used the opportunity to reflect on the past season.
What was your highlight of last season and the biggest takeaway you can bring into this campaign?
A personal highlight for me last season was scoring at Carrow Road, which was an unforgettable moment. However, from a team perspective, I’d say our resilience in finishing the season strongly. Looking ahead to the new campaign, it’s important that we stay together and maintain that winning mentality. Our focus is on securing as many victories as possible and, ultimately, achieving our end goal.
How much have you enjoyed getting to know the new players who have joined us over the summer?
The new players who have joined the squad have been excellent and have integrated well into the group. They bring experience and have already had a positive impact by helping to raise the standards within the team. I’m really looking forward to the season ahead with them.
You’ve taken on a more central role on the pitch over pre-season, is that where you feel most comfortable in Andy’s set-up?
I would say so. I really enjoyed playing in the number 10 role last season; it allowed me to get on the ball more and have more of an influence in the middle of the pitch. Andy has been great in helping me develop and better understand the responsibilities he expects from that position. I’m looking forward to hopefully playing there more this season.
Our focus is on securing as many victories as possible and, ultimately, achieving our end goal.
What goals have you set yourself this season on a personal level?
On a personal level, my aim is to score more goals and create more opportunities, both for myself and the team. I also want to play a key role in driving the group forward and contributing to our overall success.
What have you enjoyed most about pre-season?
I’ve really enjoyed being back with the girls; there’s always a great energy around the group and it’s been great to reconnect on and off the pitch. Preseason camp was a standout; it gave us the chance to bond even more and really focus on our preparation for the new season. Training has also been really good; intensity has been high and competitive which has helped to push everyone to raise their standards. It’s been a really positive start.
How is the squad feeling ahead of the first game of the 2025/26 campaign this weekend?
We’re feeling confident. The way we finished last season was really strong and it’s important that we carry that momentum into this campaign. We want to build on that foundation and really push on to reach our goals.
We’ve faced Actonians plenty of times before and have a good record against them, how are we preparing for this fixture?
We’ve come up against Actonians quite a few times, so we’re familiar with what they bring. Although we’ve had a good record against them, we know every game is different and we’re preparing with the same focus and taking every game as they come. We are looking forward to starting the campaign at The Nest.
The Visitors: Actonians
This afternoon we welcome Actonians to The Nest in our opening day fixture of the 2025/26 campaign.
The London club finished last season in sixth place with 34 points, having collected 10 wins and four draws.
Top scorer Hana Lalani netted 14 times for her side, followed by Dior Knorr with eight goals before she made the switch to AFC Wimbledon in November last year.
These two sides met twice at The Nest last season, the Canaries prevailing in the second round of the Plate, but unable to repeat that feat in the league tie just three weeks later. Actonians went on to take three points from City in a 2-1 win.
Get to know: Hope Strauss
Height 5 foot 6
Position Centre-back
Preferred foot Right
Nickname Straussy
Occupation Data analyst
First club you ever played for Leigh Ramblers
Favourite colour Orange or purple
What song are you listening to most at the moment?
Yukon – Justin Bieber
Which actor/actress would play you in a film?
Adam Sandler
Which teammate would you want to be stranded on a desert island with and why?
Ceri Flye – she would keep me entertained
Favourite sport outside of football Tennis or padel
Favourite thing to do after training Watch TikTok
Favourite pizza topping Pineapple
Your biggest strength as a teammate Good vibes
Height 5 foot 6
Position
Full-back
Preferred foot
Right
Nickname
Mills
Occupation
University lecturer
First club you ever played for
Bohemians Youth
Favourite colour
Pink
What song are you listening to most at the moment?
Daisies – Justin Bieber
Which actor/actress would play you in a film?
Stacey Dooley
Which teammate would you want to be stranded on a desert island with and why?
Smithy – we’d have a good laugh
Favourite sport outside of football
Pickleball
Favourite thing to do after training
Practice pens with Quantsy
Favourite pizza topping Ham and mushroom
Your biggest strength as a teammate
Tenacity
Get to know: Millie Daviss
Club captain: Sarah Quantrill
Norwich City Women are delighted to announce that Sarah Quantrill has been named as the 2025/26 club captain.
Quantrill joined the club in the summer of 2023 from local rivals Ipswich Town Women, having also gained experience between the sticks at Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Millwall and London Bees.
Her time with the Blues saw her keep 40 clean sheets in 60 games.
The city stopper was voted Players' Player at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, and won the Division One South East Golden Glove award in 2024/25.
Head Coach: Andy Cook
Sarah Quantrill
Grace Riglar
Ellie Bishop
Eloise King
Ceri Flye
Evie Williams
Eloise Hall
Millie Daviss
Ellie Smith
Natasha Snelling
Holly Kennard
Tamsin Medd-Gill
Lara Densley
Freya Symonds
Lauren Hailes
Issy Moore
Amber Locker
Poppy Francis
Olivia Cook
Drew Wilson
Hope Strauss
Sienna Booty
Holly Mears