Norwich City Women advance to the third round of the Vitality FA Cup after beating Sutton Coldfield 3-2 at The Nest thanks to goals from Megan Todd (2) and Natasha Snelling.
Norwich were well-versed in the form of their high-flying opposition heading into Sunday’s game, and Sutton did not disappoint, displaying high-energy, attacking football in the early stages.
Both sides enjoyed a handful of half chances in the opening 10 minutes of the game, but nothing clear-cut fell to either side.
Sutton Coldfield thought they had taken the lead in the 16th minute, wheeling away in celebration before their festivities were cut short by the offside flag.
However, just one minute later they were celebrating again and this time there was no flag to spare the Norwich defence of their blushes after a slight miscommunication at the back.
The remainder of the first half saw little to report about from either side, other than a few testing, long-balls for forwards to chase and keepers to inevitably gather.
Norwich emerged from the tunnel in the second half with a new lease of life, keen to right some of their wrongdoings in the first half.
The Canaries were brave on both ends of the pitch, throwing themselves in front of the ball on the defensive end, and challenging every 50/50 going forward.
Snelling felt the brunt of several of these challenges, getting clattered by the Sutton 'keeper after she lobbed a delightful effort into the back of the net to draw level just after the hour mark.
Stanley came within centimetres of an equaliser just moments later but couldn’t direct her back-post header inside the post, despite the illusion of a goal for some fans as the ball cradled itself in the side-netting.
Sutton weren't done yet though, as they regained the lead with 20 minutes left to play, to the disbelief of the home faithful.
But heads didn’t drop, nor did voices soften, as all was left to play for could Norwich snatch a late equaliser.
They did one better.
In the 88th minute, the Canaries were awarded a penalty after the ball struck a Sutton arm in an attacking frenzy. Todd stepped up and converted, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Suddenly the energy and momentum was all Norwich and the problems proved too much for the visitors, who conceded yet another penalty in injury time for a push in the box.
Todd stepped up once more and delivered the match-winner, with an absolutely thumping penalty to secure Norwich's place in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup third round.
Norwich will find out their opponents during the FA Cup draw at 7pm on Monday, November 28.
Norwich City: Williams, Larkins, Flye, Johnston (Cook 81), Parker, Knights, Symonds (Ward 90+4), Smith, Todd, Snelling (Harper 90+4), Stanley
Subs not used: George, Gooding, Williams, Gambell
HT: 0-1
FT: 3-2
Goals: Snelling (63), Todd (89, 90+4)