Norwich City Women returned to league action on Sunday, October 2, firing seven past Hounslow to keep pace towards the top of the FAWNL Division One South East.
A bright and sunny afternoon at The Nest set the perfect scene as Norwich came up against a Hounslow side who were yet to complete a full league match heading into the day.
At the sound of the referee’s whistle Norwich instantly burst into life, dominating the ball, and creating chances from the off.
It took just four minutes for the Canaries to take the lead through Ellie Smith, who capitalised on a defensive error to slot the ball home for the opener.
Before anyone had a chance to catch their breath, the ball was in the back of the net again. A high-pressing Natasha Snelling won the ball back instantly at the restart, allowing Ellie Smith to turn provider and cross the ball into an in-form Megan Todd to tap in following a spillage from the keeper.
Though the pace of the game then settled, Norwich’s aerial bombardment did not. Skipper Anna Larkins found Kathryn Stanley in the box with one of a number of fine crosses throughout the afternoon, but Stanley failed to keep the effort down.
This, however, only augmented Stanley’s goal-scoring appetite. Less than ten minutes later Ellie Smith provided again, spinning her opponent, and laying it off to Stanley, who wrapped her foot around a 25-yard effort which nestled into the top-right corner for City’s third before half time.
The second half saw only more of the same. Ellie Smith continued to create chance upon chance, while Natasha Snelling rued a few missed chances in quick succession.
Just past the hour mark, Norwich got a fourth. Megan Todd chased down a long ball on the right and capitalised on another defensive error to square the ball to Stanley for a tap-in from close range.
Five second-half substitutions saw every available City player in action, and Freya Symonds had a near-instant impact, rattling the post after some sublime counter-attacking football on 77 minutes.
Five minutes later and fellow substitute, Ella Gambell got her name on the scoresheet. The winger rolled the ball into an empty net after Hounslow keeper, Darcie Salmons went down with an injury, requiring later treatment.
Olivia Cook joined the goal-scoring party with just under ten minutes left of the clock, spinning two defenders on the edge of the 18-yard box before firing home for six.
With just moments left to play, Ellie Smith put the icing on the cake after a lovely give-and-go with Natasha Snelling, drilling her shot low into the bottom left corner to cap off a wonderful team performance. The result secured Norwich City Women’s second 7-0 victory this season.
Following the postponement of Norwich’s scheduled league fixture away to Chesham, the team are next in action at The Nest on Tuesday, 11th of October for a 19:45 kick off against Cambridge City.