Goals from Megan Todd and Freya Symonds ensured an upset was off the cards as Norwich City Women faced Cambridge United Women for the third time this season on Sunday, February 26.
In a largely uneventful first half, both sides had few clear-cut chances due to some resilient defending at both ends.
Anna Larkins got off to a bright start, calmly clearing away a dangerous cross early on. Minutes later and she was tormenting the Cambridge defence with passes of her own, finding Natasha Snelling through on goal, who was subsequently denied by a sprawling Lauren Webb.
Cambridge looked to capitalise on some lenient refereeing as play was urged to go on at the best of times amid some stern challenges from both sides.
On 23 minutes, Ellie Smith looked to be through on goal but was unable to get a competent strike away as she fought two or three sets of hands off of her shirt.
The away side’s first real chance of the game came from a gift after a miscommunication at the back.
Sarah Wiltshire fired off the consequent effort, but it was right into the palms of Jess Harper.
The second half could only offer more as defensive rigidity loosened and both sides looked to expand their football.
After a slight defensive mishap from the home side in the first half, it was Cambridge’s turn to gift-wrap an opportunity early in the second period. Smith latched onto a wayward back pass on 53 minutes but again, Webb was quick off the mark to deny a certain goal.
Moments later, Eloise Morran, who is yet to open her Norwich City account, almost did so in spectacular fashion. The midfielder got her head up and took aim from 25 yards out, only to be denied by the crossbar.
But the effort wasn’t in vain as Smith was fouled in the follow-up to earn Norwich a penalty. Todd stepped up and converted her second penalty in as many games to open the scoring.
Cambridge responded instantly. Barely a minute had been played before Norwich found themselves heads in hands as Cambridge United skipper, Gisela Otten, drew the away side level.
The game opened up and Norwich had to shift up a gear. After 10 minutes of caginess and rising tensions with every Cambridge attack, Symonds eased any nerves at The Nest.
On 71 minutes, Todd leapt onto the end of a free-kick and rattled the post with a header. Attackers and defenders alike stood stagnant as the ball fell to Symonds who lashed it home with conviction to restore the home lead and ultimately the victory.
Norwich City: Harper, Parker, Larkins, Todd (Russell 85), Smith, Snelling, Knights, Symonds (Gambell 78), Flye, Croft, Morran
Subs not used: Ward, George, Cook
Cambridge United: Webb, Bennett, Otten, Wiltshire, Edgar, Naylor, Rouse, Partridge, Davies, Seymour, Jackson.
Subs: Marden, Simpson, Fraser
Attendance: 327
HT: 0-0
FT: 2-1