Norwich City Women 0 Real Bedford 0

Norwich City extended their unbeaten start to the Women’s National League Division One South East season by drawing with fellow promotion candidates Real Bedford.

Natasha Snelling and Ellie Smith both regained their starting positions after missing City’s game against MK Dons, but neither player had much joy in a challenging opening period.

Visitors Bedford flew out of the traps and made life difficult for City’s defence in the early stages. Striker Tricia Gould was a constant threat, but failed to properly test home stopper Sarah Quantrill with her efforts on goal.

The Canaries grew into the contest as the first half progressed but were almost caught napping at the start of the second. 

Quantrill made a smart stop to keep out Hannah Warren’s shot, before Sofia Stovald somehow missed the target for the visitors from inside the City box moments later.

In truth, City struggled to create clear-cut opportunities throughout. The closest they came to breaking the deadlock was when substitute Freya Symonds fired a dangerous cross across the Bedford box, but Snelling could not get on the end of it.

While Andy Cook will be pleased his team remain unbeaten, this draw also extends their run of league games without a victory to three.

Norwich City: Quantrill (c), Daviss, Flye, Strauss, Moore, Medd-Gill, Knights, Densley, Smith, Shaw, Snelling. Subs: Johnston, Morran, Symonds, Tomlinson, Cook.