City Women retain County Cup title

Norwich City Women retained the Harrod Sport Women's Cup title in style, beating Wroxham Women 6-0 at Carrow Road.

Norwich City Women retained the Harrod Sport Women's Cup title in style, beating Wroxham Women 6-0 at Carrow Road.

The Canaries secured the victory with goals from Natasha Snelling (2), Katie Knights, Hope Strauss, Ellie Smith and an own goal.

Scott Emmerson named an unchanged starting 11 to the side that faced Ashford on the final day of the Division One South East league campaign.

The only addition was Lauren Tomlinson on her return from injury, replacing Rachel Lawrence on the bench.

Smith threatened early down the right-hand side and won an early corner that Holly Kennard fired goalward and former Canary Bryony Williams was required to punch away.

Pursuing an attack on the break, Wroxham were able to get a shot from 30 yards out but the looping effort was collected easily by Sarah Quantrill in goal.

Wroxham's Lara Densley made a great run down the right for the Yachtswomen, shooting from inside the box, but Quantrill used strong hands to stop and clear to safety.

The deadlock was finally broken when Snelling was able to tap home from close-range after a scramble in the box just after the half-hour mark.

A free-kick from Smith was narrowly palmed away by Williams shortly after to stop the Canaries from doubling their lead.

A Lauren Hailes free-kick was the final action of the half, which saw Williams leap into action again but collect comfortably.

The opening minutes of the second half saw City regain control and Ceri Flye took a shot from distance, but the centre-back fired too high to test Williams.

It didn't take long for the Canaries to make it two, as Knights managed to get away a shot from the edge of the area and found the back of the net.

A powerful strike from Kennard had to be punched to safety by Williams not long after.

With an hour on the clock, we saw a set of fresh legs and the Canaries took full advantage, as Tomlinson made a fantastic run to whip in a perfect cross for Snelling to head home the third.

Just five minutes later, Smith went charging forward and won the Yellows a penalty, allowing Strauss to step up and convert from the spot.

Just seconds after her substitution, Shannon Shaw made it though on goal but the striker was unable to beat Williams.

Smith was finally rewarded for her performance and made it 5-0 with five to go, striking neatly from the edge of the box.

Captain Anna Larkins received a standing ovation on her exit in the 88th minute, marking her final game as a Canary.

The sixth and final goal went down as an own goal for Albany Hodgson, who turned the ball into her own net from a Millie Daviss corner.

Wroxham: Williams, Newcombe, Clarke (Connell 58), Cossey (Gambell 66), Kett, Hodgson (Robson h-t), Densley, Russell, Middleton (Bullard 38), Alexander, Gambell (Middleton h-t)

Unused Subs: Eagle, Copland

Bookings: Kett (44), Gambell (72)

Norwich City Women: Quantrill, Flye, Strauss, Larkins (Knights 88), Parker (Tomlinson 37 (Pernet 72)), Morran (Kennard 90+4), Kennard (Parker 57), Hailes (Daviss 61), Knights (Symonds 61), Smith, Snelling (Shaw 78)

Goals: Snelling (33, 64), Knights (49), Strauss (70 pen), Smith (85), Own goal (90)

Bookings: Smith (45+3), Hailes (45+5)

Referee: Lorraine Catchpole

Attendance: 922