FA Women’s National Leaue One (South-East)
Team: Wiggins, Cooper, Searle, Brooks, Blodgett, Lewin, Ward-Chambers, Hill, Stanley, D’Santos, Dzyadyk
Subs: Hennessy, Owen, Makowska, Munro, Leach
Attendance: 3,160
Good to bump into Philip Cross pre-match, who had made his way over from Dungannon in Northern Ireland.
The hosts created their first attempt at goal six minutes into the game when Millie Daviss’ cross from the right was side-footed by Natasha Snelling directly at the keeper.
Whilst at the other end, after Ellie Searle had been fouled, Billie Brook’s deep free kick was aimed towards Grace Stanley, but the R’s striker couldn’t quite get her head to the ball.
The Canaries took the lead on 15 minutes after a ball in by Natasha Snelling from the bye-line was tapped home by Holly Kennard.
Good work by Annie Dzyadyk when she tracked back to successfully win the ball before clearing it to safety.
Although being clearly fouled, Emily Hill played on before passing the ball to Courtnay Ward-Chambers, whose widish attempt just evaded the far-post.
Then, minutes later, Meila D’Santos let fly from over 20-yards, but Sarah Quantrill was able to make a comfortable save.
On 28 minutes, Jess Cooper was down in need of some attention following another foul made earlier and the players took a drinks break.
On the resumption of play, Annie Dzyadyk’s shot from distance was grabbed by the keeper.
With around 34 minutes gone, Courtnay Ward-Chambers set up Grace Stanley just outside the box, and the R’s striker’s attempt was held by the keeper.
Norwich went close to doubling their lead when Holly Kennard’s floated cross ended up coming off the upright.
For the R’s, Emily Hill’s header from a corner narrowly evaded the crossbar, which was followed by Jo Blodgett’s long-range strike also going just wide of the target.
The hosts added a second just before the interval. Holly Kennard went on a run down the left, before cutting in and finding the bottom corner. Half-time: 0-2.
After the break, and with the ball flying all around the box, a handball had looked evident! The referee wasn’t interested, and ball was then cleared off the line before being knocked over the bar.
The Canaries went further ahead in the 58th minute. Holly Kennard’s cross from the left was headed in by Freya Symonds.
Danny Harrigan then made a triple change, which saw the introduction of Laura Hennessy, Alana Munro and Natalia Makowska at the expense of Jess Cooper, Annie Dzyadyk and Meila D’Santos respectively.
This was followed five minutes later when Jessica Leach replaced Grace Stanley.
On 65 minutes, after Alana Munro had turned her marker, the R’s substitute’s shot was well saved.
The final change was made on 77 minutes, which saw Izzy Owen coming on for Jo Blodgett.
Sarah Quantrill made a superb reflex save from Emily Hill’s header and Jessica Leach’s follow-up went just over the crossbar.
Another outstanding save followed at the other end, when Chrissie Wiggins kept out Natasha Snelling’s point-blank attempt.
Into the six added minutes and substitute Issy Moore had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for offside.
This victory left the Canaries as runners-up and just two points behind Real Bedford.
London Seaward and Ashford Town were relegated and as for the R’s, they finished in fifth position.
I understood that Ashleigh Goddard had left the Club earlier in the season, and also that Jess Cooper would be moving on. All the very best to both players for the future.
Steve Russell