Now for Carrow Road - big game next up for Norwich City Women

The game was there for City and Kathryn Stanley's first half-goal was enough for the Norfolk side to take all three points.

It was a wet and windy night in Cambridge, but the Canaries adapted well to the muddy conditions.

Norwich City Women were 1-0 winners at Cambridge City (Image: Richard S Brown)

“The girls dealt with it really well,” said Howes. “We were excellent first half. It may have only been one goal, but we deserved more.

“The girls ground it out and worked really, really hard and it was a real professional performance.”

Howes’s next job is to pick the team for the showpiece clash against Ashford next Sunday at Carrow Road.

“It’s a nice problem to have, I would rather have them in form than not," he said. "There are going to be a few disappointed girls, but they will all play an important part.

“You can see from their performances that they really want it.

Goalmouth action from Norwich City Women's win at Cambridge City (Image: Richard S Brown)

“I am so excited for it, but the girls are up for it. The atmosphere is amazing. They are really looking forward to it and hopefully, they can put on a performance like they have the last couple of games.”

Ceri Flye joined Norwich City from Cambridge City last season, and was happy to get one over her old team-mates.

“I needed that one," she said. "You doubt yourself coming back to your old club.

“I knew I needed to perform and I did that tonight.”

The weather wasn’t perfect - not that it mattered to the central defender.

She added: “I enjoyed it, I love a bit of wet weather, it’s always fun playing on a slippery pitch, and I love a slide tackle."

Flye had a simple message for anyone in two minds about joining the more than 5,000 fans already armed with tickets for the game at Carrow Road.

“We do play great football," she said. "We try to play the right way. It’s a good event to see us play.

“If I keep thinking about it, I am just going to get more nervous! None of us has played in front of a crowd like that.”

“It will be amazing.”