Norwich City Women were victorious in their first ever fixture at Carrow Road, beating Ashford Town 5-3 to send more than 7,000 fans home happy.

Alice Parker opened the scoring in a hectic opening 10 minutes, looking for Natasha Snelling with her cross but finding the far corner when the City striker couldn’t reach it.

It took only two minutes for Ashford to respond, however, Anya Kinnane flicking on to beat Bryony Williams in the Norwich goal.

Symonds then found the third goal of the game, but it wasn’t without its controversy. The goal was initially ruled out by the assistant referee, but consultation with the referee led to that decision being reversed.

But, as might have been predicted, Ashford found the equaliser once more in short order. Once again it was Kinnane meeting a cross, but Williams will be disappointed with an effort she let slip through her hands.

A real moment of quality found the lead for Norwich once more in the 23rd minute, Symonds teeing up for Parker to cross. She found Snelling this time, but the result was the same; the ball in the back of the net.

There was a chance for the visitors to level things when Mary Croft upended Jade Johnson in the box, but Williams atoned for her earlier error by saving Alissa Down’s spot kick.

Parker’s second of the game doubled the hosts’ lead when she looped a free-kick over Sophie Shults’ head, but Aimee Durn found another for Ashford just before the whistle for the break.

The Canaries managed to slow the tempo in a more considered second half, with Megan Todd's strike sealing the win in stoppage time.

Attendance: 7,585