Women's Report | Actonians 0-2 Norwich City

Two second-half goals from Norwich City Women's Freya Symonds and Ellie Smith clinched victory on the road against Actonians in the club's final away game of the 2024/25 season.

Two second-half goals from Norwich City Women's Freya Symonds and Ellie Smith clinched victory on the road against Actonians in the club's final away game of the 2024/25 season.

A superbly taken free-kick from Symonds broke the deadlock and a first goal for Smith since returning from injury sealed the win in style.

Andy Cook made just one change to the side that beat London Bees in City's last league outing, Lauren Hailes coming in for Megan Todd in midfield.

Lauren Tomlinson was set up by Holly Kennard in the middle to take the first shot of the tie, her effort falling wide of the target inside the opening two minutes.

The left-back then had another opportunity in the same area two minutes later, but again, was unable to find the back of the net.

A fantastic interception from Kennard deep in City's half allowed her to make a run down the left wing and cross to Natasha Snelling in the box, but the forward was inches away from being able to make contact to tap in an opener.

Another lovely spell of play from the Canaries came from Olivia Cook on the right-hand side, using her pace to beat a defender and get a shot on target, but Elisa Dogor was able to block the shot out for a corner.

Symonds then took a chance inside the area, flicking an effort inches over the bar on the half-hour mark.

An Actonians free-kick from Amber Dredge was the first threatening attack from the hosts, but the forward was only able to find the hands of Sarah Quantrill, waiting patiently in the area.

The half closed quietly as neither side were able to find the all-important an opener in the first 45 minutes.

Hailes was first to take a shot in the second half, Millie Daviss setting her up to shoot on the edge of the area, but the midfielder's shot fell just wide.

Tomlinson had another optimistic effort from outside the box, shooting narrowly wide of the goal.

Symonds made an important interception from an Actonians goal-kick, slotting a ball to Cook on the right wing, but she was denied by a sea of blue and white shirts.

A point-blank save from Dogor kept the scores level after an hour played, Kennard and Snelling ready in the six-yard box to pounce on the loose ball.

More great footwork from Symonds kept a City attack alive, but Cook's cross again was unable to find a Yellow to meet her in the box.

City then found the equaliser in stunning style, a free-kick from Symonds perfectly finding the bottom corner, no chance of Dogor getting a touch to it.

Symonds continued her duties on set-pieces, taking a corner from the left that was able to find Ellie Bishop but the defender's flick fell just wide.

City then extended their lead with five minutes to go, a great run from Kennard eventually finding Smith to fire home and make it 2-0.

One final chance for the Canaries came from Daviss, who made a great run to get her shot at goal, only narrowly missing the target and hitting the bar.

Despite the win for the Canaries, Real Bedford's 11-1 win over London Seaward confirms their promotion to the Southern Premier Division with one league game remaining in Division One South East.

Actonians: Dogor; Bramwell, Brereton, Clement, Colley, Morley (Rognas 47), Graham, Todd-Warmouth, Pejcic (Fawcett 20), Dredge, Williamson.

Unused subs: Diachenko, Sottani.

Bookings: Graham (62)

Norwich City: Quantrill; Daviss, Flye, Strauss, Tomlinson (Bishop 63); Hailes (Smith 63), Morran, Symonds (Todd 87); Cook (Moore 77), Kennard, Snelling (Shaw 87).

Goals: Symonds (76), Smith (85)

HT: 0-0

FT: 0-2

Venue: Rectory Park

Referee: Ellis Lander