Norwich City Women progressed to the second round of the Women’s FA Cup in thrilling fashion, dispatching tier three Hashtag United at The Nest.
Norwich knew the threat of their opponents heading into today’s game having faced them in the National League South East last season. Hashtag, who now sit joint-top of tier three, looked to continue their fine start to the season.
An energetic start saw both sides beginning strongly and create a handful of half-chances, but it was a stroke of brilliance that would bring the game to life.
Just inside 10 minutes, Ellie Smith, playing off an unfamiliar left-sided role, pounced onto the ball, dribbled her way through a parting Hashtag defence and drilled her effort into the bottom corner to send The Nest into eruption.
Hashtag’s arguably best chance of the game came just three minutes later as they looked for a quickfire response. A stray back pass to Sarah Quantrill was left short and pounced on by a Hashtag forward, who rounded the Norwich goalkeeper, but could only drag her effort wide of the right post to spare any Norwich blushes.
Norwich’s conscious effort to retain possession and slow the pace of the game was often disrupted by an experienced Hashtag press as they anxiously looked to get a foothold back in the game.
Despite this, Norwich would contain Hashtag United to just a handful of chances to close the first half as Quantrill made light work of anything that came her way.
The message was much the same coming out for the second half, with a contain and counter style of football proving fruitful for the Canaries.
Both sides were restricted to speculative efforts from distance in an all-round sturdy defensive second-half display. With 15 minutes left to play, City could have sealed it as Megan Todd rose highest to meet a header, but turned away in agony as it flew past the left post.
The final 10 minutes would see the Canaries absorb waves of pressure and attacks from the visitors. Clear-cut chances remained few until right at the death when Quantrill made a superb stop to her left to secure Norwich’s place in the second round of the FA Cup.
Norwich will now be drawn into the second-round proper, which will see the fixture take place on Sunday, November 26. Next weekend sees the Canaries return to league action where they will travel away to face Worthing.
Norwich City: Quantrill, Parker, Flye, Todd, Smith, Snelling, Larkins, Knights, Morran, Tomlinson, Strauss
Subs not used: Daviss, Symonds, Shaw, Pernet, Hailes, Cook
Goals: Smith (9)
Bookings: Smith, Quantrill
Hashtag United: Angel, Farrand, Gillard, Keogh, Garwood, Baker, Nicholls, West, Apindia, Rowland, Samways
HT: 1-0
FT: 1-0
Venue: The Nest
Attendance: 393
Officials: Bryon Chapman, Fran Catchpole, Anoushka Williamson