Norwich City Women 6-2 Kent Football United
FA Women’s National League Division One South-East
by Connor Wroe
Norwich City started off very quick early on getting a series of corners back to back. Despite gaining free headers each time, they failed to convert these chances.
Newly promoted Kent showed promise early on finding space in behind the back line, but failed to do anything with that room. Around the eight minute mark a Norwich corner finally produced joy – a real swinger of a ball was crossed in and went straight in at far post – Aimee Durant scoring direct from the corner.
Kent managed to equalise after 27 minutes despite a long period of Norwich pressure. It was a debate to whether to goal scorer was offside, but you don’t take that away from the finish – a lovely chip over home keeper Hope Armstrong. The goal seemingly woke Norwich up as they started to play more consistently successful attacking football – however they failed initially to take advantage due to struggling to keep their shots down. However, sharp shooter Chelsea Garret found the net 38 minutes into play with a lovely bit of foot work to find space to shoot, although the keeper should have done better as the shot was straight at her.
It became 3-1 two minutes later with an old school hoofed ball which succeded in getting Aimee Durrant in behind the defence, the first shot was saved but Durrant followed up her parried shot and headed it into an empty net. On the stroke of halftime the Canaries made it 4-1 from a free kick just inside their own half which caused confusion in the Kent defence as the ball just rolled through on goal and the striking instinct of Chelsea Garrett saw her slide it into the far corner.
It became 5-1 straight from the resulting kick-off after Norwich were awarded a free-kick. Megan Todd struck home with the half-time whistle following shortly afterwards.
The excitement level dropped in the second period – but Kent gave themselves a glimmer of hope with a goal on 56 minutes on the counter. Despite Norwich’s defence still not quite functioning at 100%, the visitors could not improve on their tally. Instead, it was Norwich who got their sixth goal on the 82 minute. An attack down the right resulted with the ball being crossed into Megan Todd who headed it down, with the Kent defender getting a foot to it which unfortunately took it past the keeper. The game finished 6-2.
Norwich, despite their dominant performance and having a larger amount of possession looked slightly in defence at times. Newly promoted Kent Football United are still trying to catch up with the intensity of this league. They look promising and are just missing two or three experienced players. If they can get someone in with experience they might be able to be saved from the drop.
Teams: NORWICH CITY WOMEN: Hope Armstrong, Tigi Robson, Kate Parsons, Aimee Durrant, Millie Daviss, Chelsea Garrett, Megan Todd, Lauren Cullum, Rosie George, Reeanna Cook, Izzy Collins. Substitutes: Tash Snelling, Angelina Nixon, Josie Jarvis, Lily Bueggeln, Keunna Dil.
Scorers: Durrant 2, Garrett 2, Todd, Snelling.
KENT FOOTBALL UNITED WOMEN: Abigail Adewunmi, Shannon Burden, Ami Burnham, Megan Burrows, Chloe Francis, Charley Macneil , Poppy Payne, Amy Russ Emma Squirrell, Grace Taylor, Lydia Wills. Substitutes: Lucy Dante and Maisie Joyce
Scorers: Macneil (2)
Attendance: 100.
Connor Wroe is a regular contributor to Impetus and “follows all things sport – both men and women”.
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