Norwich City Women claimed their second 4-1 victory over Cambridge United this season in the qualifying round of the Vitality FA Women’s National League Cup at the Nest on Sunday, October 23.
Following a torrential downpour in the morning, The Nest granted Norwich City Women and Cambridge United Women a hiatus from the rain in the afternoon during their FA Cup clash, which saw the Canaries emerge victorious thanks to goals from Russell, Snelling, Todd, and Smith.
Norwich City began the game in their usual, spirited fashion, testing Cambridge keeper, Lauren Webb early doors with a double chance. Snelling fired towards goal first, before Russell latched onto the rebound to have an effort of her own denied by the keeper.
The parade continued with Megan Todd and Ellie Smith both seeing their chances parried away by the lively Cambridge keeper before the ten-minute mark.
Despite Norwich’s early bombardment, it was Cambridge who broke the deadlock 20 minutes in through Ruth Fox, with a delightful, curled effort into the top-left corner.
Following the opener, the Canaries enjoyed most of the possession as they pushed for a response, and they were rewarded for their efforts on the half-hour mark.
The referee pointed to the spot on 31-minutes after a high boot caught a brave Ceri Flye, as she attempted to head the ball following a Norwich corner. Set-piece specialist, Rebecca Russell stepped up and calmly converted her second penalty in as many games to draw level for the hosts.
The game was turned on its head when Ellie Smith parted the midfield just minutes after the equaliser, before cushioning the ball to Natasha Snelling, who cut inside onto her right foot and drilled an effort into the near post for Norwich to take the lead on 36 minutes.
Just as Cambridge looked to have some respite, Megan Todd secured a two-goal cushion for the Yellows. Ellie Smith won the ball high up the field with a sliding challenge, allowing the prolific winger, Todd, to dance through the defence and pass the ball into the bottom right with her left foot.
Cambridge responded well in the opening stages of the second half, testing Bryony Williams from range, but the Norwich keeper calmly collected the effort.
City countered with a chance of their own. Ellie Smith was allowed far too much space on the right wing, and despite the angle looking against her, rifled her effort into the far corner to give Norwich a 4-1 lead.
Norwich’s fourth seemingly slowed the pace of the game, with chances few and far between from that moment on. Snelling was denied a second on 76 minutes, seeing her lobbed effort palmed away by Webb, who had a terrific game in spite of the score line.
Ella Gambell also had a chance smothered by the Cambridge keeper on 86 minutes after allowing the ball to just get away from her as she bared down on goal.
The 90-minute mark plus added time notified the players of the games near-completion, allowing Freya Symonds to put on a dazzling display for the home faithful. The substitute enjoyed a series of step-overs and nutmegs, provoking applause from the crowd late on, before the referee blew for full time.
The result guaranteed Norwich City Women a place in the first-round proper of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, where they will face Enfield Town on Sunday, November 13 at The Nest.
Norwich City Starting XI: Williams, Harper, Flye, Parker, Ward (Cooper 67), Knights, Russell, Smith, Stanley (Symonds 67), Todd (Gambell 81), Snelling
Subs not used: George, Booker, Cook
HT: 3-1