Darrell Allen rounds up all the weekend’s games for Norfolk’s teams in 11-aside and seven-aside action, with Lucy Chen providing a detailed report of Norwich City’s FAWNL Cup trip to London Bees (31/10/23).
Above: Norwich City come together after their defeat at higher league London Bees on Sunday. Photo: Norwich City Women.
London Bees 2-0 Norwich City
by Lucy Chen at The Hive
Norwich City traveled to the capital on Sunday to take on London Bees in the first round of the FAWNL Cup.
Though one division below the hosts, the Canaries came into the game in top form, unbeaten across all competitions so far in the season. Manager Martin Herdman made a number of changes, with Ellie Smith among those returning to the lineup. Midfielder Millie Daviss came in at right back with Anna Larkins remaining in central defense and Hope Strauss in midfield. Kathryn Stanley and Olivia Cook were on the wings with Shannon Shaw up front.
Norwich City started off with their usual high-press approach but the hosts dealt with it well and managed to play out and create a number of chances.
In the 14th minute, Smith picked up the ball and tried to drive forward but ran into traffic and lose possession. Two minutes later, the number 9 tried to look for Cook ahead of her but was crowded out by defenders once more. Smith is the Canaries’ creative hub and arguably most important player, and as she struggled to get into the game, so did City. Smith typically plays as a free 10, but she was deployed deeper in a box-to-box role next to Strauss, with Todd at 10.
The visitors used an asymmetrical buildup with Daviss often staying deeper as the third center-back while left-back Lauren Tomlinson given the freedom to push on. In 32nd minute, for example, Tomlinson made a brilliant run down the left and fired in a cross that was cleared, and the Canaries mostly attacked down that flank with Strauss providing cover.
Daviss’ more conservative positioning meant that the Canaries were reliant on Smith getting on the ball deeper on the right and progressing play using her individual quality. But Smith is a technical player and lacks the engine to carry the ball over long distances while under pressure, and the deeper role prevented her from getting on the ball higher where she’s at her best.
Norwich sought to overload the left then switch to Cook on the right. Cook is a striker by trade and was asked to run in behind and get on the end of balls in from the left, but the number 23 had a frustrating half. The 38th minute saw one of the many instances when she tried to get on the end of a switch but was beaten to it by defenders.
Bees’ centre-backs were composed on and off the ball and their ability to read the game and recover quickly meant that though the Bees’ defensive line was tested by the Canaries many times, it was never beaten. Two minutes later, Bees broke forward and Kayla Potter fired her shot off the crossbar into the net.
City switched to a 3-4-1-2 for the second half with a back three of Strauss, Flye, and Larkins while the wings backs were giving full attacking license. Knights took up Smith’s earlier role of collecting the ball deep and progressing play and the Canaries’ midfield flowed better instantly.
Further changes just before the hour mark gave Norwich two natural wing backs while Morran anchoring the midfield allowed Smith to play as the 10 with Todd joining Lawrence in the front two. Momentum shifted and the Canaries pushed for the equalizer with more possession higher up the pitch and more chances being created.
In the 74th minute, a promising ball in was slightly overhit. Six minutes later, Jess Harper – who’d come on for Tomlinson – received a switch on the left but her cross was cleared.
In the end, the hosts were the ones who found the back of the net again, with a screamer from well outside the box going into the top right corner in the 84th minute. The Canaries looked to respond and Todd hit the crossbar less than a minute later. A well-struck free kick Harper came close in the 89th minute but in the end, Norwich City simply could not score.
With a 2-0 defeat, the Canaries are out of the League Cup in their first defeat of the season. They will play Impetus partner club Ashford Town (Middx) at The Nest next on the 5th November.
Teams: LONDON BEES: Webber, Charles, Tonkin, Jarvis, Baigent, Nassar (Tilbury 86), Potter (Nee-Chambers 86), Cullum, Bensted (Fonseca 86), O’Leary (Munnelly 77), Rose-Dyer (Huntrods 65).
Scorers: Potter 41′, Bensted 85′
NORWICH CITY: Quantrill, Daviss (Knights 58), Larkins, Flye, Tomlinson (Harper 73), Strauss, Smith, Stanley (Lawrence 45), Cook (Parker 45), Todd, Shaw (Morran 58).
Norfolk Wrap
Eastern Region Premier Division
An 86th-minute winner from Lara Densley saw Wroxham secure a 1-0 win over Haringey Borough. King’s Lynn Town were defeated 1-0 at St. Albans City as Becky Shephard scored for the hosts.
Eastern Region Division One North
Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers’ fine season continued as they defeated Histon 3-0 thanks to goals from Tallulah Bell, Rosie George, and Abby Hutchin. Fakenham Town picked up a point at Stevenage Development with a 1-1 draw. Shelley Woods scored for Fakenham with Ella Mercer scoring for Stevenage Development.
FA Cup Third Qualifying Round
Goals from Katie Fray and Kamile Omeleviciute saw Thetford Town beat Lawford 2-1 to reach the First Round Proper whilst Cate Jackson scored for Lawford. Thetford will now host Enfield Town in the next round on 12th November.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One
Mulbarton Wanderers Development lead the division after a comfortable 3-0 win over the University of East Anglia which saw Charlotte Groves score a brace and Megan Anderton get their other goal.
Caister remain unbeaten following a 3-1 win at Costessey Sports. Hazel Saddington, Bethany Turner, and Paige Samwell scored for Caister with Lauren Monument finding the net for Costessey Sports.
King’s Lynn Soccer Club and Bungay Town shared the points in a 2-2 draw, Ellie Panks and Leeanne Smith scoring for Lynn with Lauren Goulder and Ruby Roos Bungay Town’s scorers.
North Walsham Town were 4-2 winners over Thorpe St. Andrew thanks to two goals from Lucy Taylor and other goals from Kiera Brown and Violet Rayner. Thorpe St. Andrew had Sarah Rooke and an own goal to thank for their goals.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two
Beccles Town Development were 5-3 winners over Bure Valley thanks to a brace from Saffron Jones-Yates and other goals from Mia Wilson, Lola Brewster, and Millie Reeve. Emma Macmillan found the net twice for Beccles with Maisie Redhead getting their other goal.
Cerys Nicholas scored four as FC Viking Valkyries beat Great Yarmouth Town 8-1. Their other four goals came thanks to a brace from Charlotte Kenny and one each from Tillie Thrower and Ellie Jarmy. Lucie Morley scored for Great Yarmouth Town.
Horsford Harriers beat Martham 3-0 courtesy of two from Amelia Buck and one from Ella Kreuz. A hat-trick apiece from Bethany Freestone and Maisie Nichols saw Horsford Hurricanes take a 6-1 win at South Walsham Lingwood with Gemma Burwood scoring for the hosts.
Rachel Adams scored twice and Samantha Burgess got the other as Shrublands were 3-1 winners at home to Red Rose. Chelsea Godden scored for the visitors. Emma Gillespie and Amber Mayhew were the goalscorers in Shrublands’ 2-0 win over Mundford. To complete a busy day of Tier Eight action, Lily-Ann Marples and Kiera Squires both scored as Freethorpe won 2-0 at Waveney.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Sevens Division One
Dussindale and Hellesdon were 8-0 winners over Waveney thanks to six goals from Helen Finn with Alice Walker and Corrina Brock getting their other goals. Elizabeth Moulton scored twice as Horsford beat Taverham 2-1. Hannah Parker scored for Taverham.
Left Field were 3-1 winners over Rockland through goals from Joanne Baxter, Ruth Howes and Meadbh Flynn. Mulbarton Development beat Loddon United 11-0. Joanne Hooper and Alice Ladbrooke scored a hat trick each with Julia Robathan and Molly Ryan adding two each, whilst the other goal came from Eloise Peek.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Sevens Division Two
The University of East Anglia were 5-0 winners at Yarmouth FC. Cawston and Hockering shared the points in a 2-2 draw.
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