Norwich City claim sixth women's County Cup title

Norwich City Women won their sixth Harrod Sport County Cup title on Friday night, defeating Mulbarton Wanderers 3-0 at Carrow Road.

Norwich City Women won their sixth Harrod Sport County Cup title on Friday night, defeating Mulbarton Wanderers 3-0 at Carrow Road.

After a dominant first half where goalkeeper Joanne Hooper kept the Canaries at bay with a player of the match performance, the goals finally arrived in the second half.

Ceri Flye got the first before Katie Knights, who starred on the night, and Liv Cook added to the lead and ensured the title would go to the Yellows.

An attendance of 2,690 packed into the City Stand to watch Norwich lift the trophy with an assured performance.

City had been threatening early on with Alice Parker having an early attempt from a set-piece before Kathryn Stanley headed over at the back post.

Just over 20 minutes in, Megan Todd rifled a header off the crossbar, with the power on the effort taking it away to safety.

Flye also came close but Mulbarton's Hooper did just enough to put her off.

The Canaries continued to press but couldn't find the breakthrough, a volley from Stanley nestled on the roof of the net after what seemed like an endless series of passes in the build up.

Hooper was called upon again soon after, to deny another Todd header before keeping out a deflected Tash Snelling effort in first half injury time.

And after all of that, it took less than a minute of the second half for Flye to nod home the opener from an Anna Larkins corner - her first goal for the club.

The next opportunity fell to half-time substitute Freya Symonds but she dragged her effort wide of the goal in front of the Regency Security Stand.

It was quickly forgotten though as the winger provided the final ball for Knights' goal less than 60 seconds later.

The depth of the Norwich squad was the difference as Eloise Morran and Ella Gambell posed problems when introduced.

The latter going close with a headed effort in the 75th minute.

Cook finished the scoring for the day in the fifth minute of added time, slotting home to seal the 3-0 win.

The County Cup win was a fitting end to head coach Shaun Howes' reign over the team as he steps aside at the end of this season.

Norwich City: Williams, Larkins (C), Croft (Daviss 63), Flye, Parker, Todd (Symonds h-t), Russell (Morran 58), Knights, Stanley (Gambell h-t), Snelling (Cook 83), Smith.

Goals: Flye (46), Knights (69), Cook (90+5)

Mulbarton Wanderers: Hooper, O Smith, Lincoln, Megan Belsey, Melissa Belsey, Hunter, Alice Smith, Hedtke, Ryan, Lake (C).

Subs: Mungham-Gray, Aneliese Smith, Catchpole, Ladbrooke, Farmer.

HT: 0-0

FT: 3-0

Referee: Callum Parke

Attendance: 2,690