Norwich City Women go top after big away win

Norwich City moved to the top of the Women’s National League Division One South East with a comprehensive victory on the road.

The Canaries controlled the first half in Haverhill and took the lead inside 10 minutes when Alice Parker’s cross was diverted into the net by unfortunate Cambridge defender Patience Ndlovu.

Though Cambridge caused problems from set-pieces, Norwich always looked a threat on the counter-attack, which is how their second and third goals were scored. Natasha Snelling netted both, first turning home Rachel Lawrence’s low cross, before reacting quickly to secure her brace on the stroke of the interval.

Martin Herdman’s side were given a wake-up call immediately after half-time when Cambridge won a penalty, which Matilda Fidler blazed over the bar.

Norwich were then awarded a spot-kick of their own when Kathryn Stanley was brought down inside the area, and Megan Todd fired home to extend the lead.

Though chances to make the scoreline more emphatic were missed by Norwich late on, this win sets them up nicely for Sunday’s much-anticipated game against Cambridge United at Carrow Road.

Norwich City: Quantrill, Larkins (c), Flye, Croft, Parker, Knights, Smith, Todd, Lawrence, Snelling, Stanley. Subs: Daviss, Hailes, Tomlinson, Shaw, Strauss.