Women's Report | Norwich City 3-1 AFC Sudbury

Norwich City Women returned to winning ways on Tuesday night at The Nest, beating AFC Sudbury 3-1 on home turf.

Norwich City Women returned to winning ways on Tuesday night at The Nest, beating AFC Sudbury 3-1 on home turf.

Natasha Snelling and Grace Riglar put the Canaries two up before the break, whilst Holly Kennard netted the third in the second half.

The win puts Norwich City top of Division One South East for at least 24 hours, as previous leaders Fulham play a game in hand on Wednesday evening.

There was only one change to Andy Cook's side that played Fulham in the last outing; Faith Harrison replacing Lara Densley on the right wing.

City hit the post in the early stages of the game, Snelling chipping a ball in that almost broke the deadlock.

Sudbury had two opportunities to take the lead through Megan Edwards, the forward striking twice towards goal but unable to find the target.

Some persistent play from Kennard got her to the byline inside the area before Sudbury stopper Isabelle Peachy smothered the cross.

Kaci-Jai Bonwick hit the side netting from a Sudbury corner for their best effort of the opening 25 minutes.

Riglar then joined in on the action and headed an effort narrowly wide of the post.

It was Snelling who eventually found the opener, unleashing a thunderous strike from 25 yards and firing into the back of the net.

City then extended the lead 10 minutes before the break, Riglar shooting from the edge of the area and around the goalkeeper into the bottom-right corner.

The second half opened strong from the visitors, Edwards firing an effort on target but straight into the hands of Sarah Quantrill.

Kennard then hit the side netting after a good link-up with Emily Wallace.

The winger was then rewarded after 70 minutes played after her shot was initially blocked and her second attempt was fired into the top corner to make it three.

Sudbury then hit back through substitute Lucy Looms, who tapped in from a corner after City failed to clear the first effort.

Issy Moore was close to making it four with the final chance of the game after Harrison set her up perfectly in the area but her strike was smothered by Peachy.

Norwich City are back in action this weekend, travelling to face MK Dons in a 4.30pm kick-off at Bedford Town Football Club on Sunday, February 22.

Norwich City: Quantrill (C); Daviss (Bishop 90+5), Flye, Williams, Wallace; King (Groves 72), Riglar, Symonds (Moore 72); Harrison (Strauss 86), Kennard (Cook 72), Snelling.

Unused subs: Mears, Wilson.

Goals: Snelling (28), Riglar (35), Kennard (71)

Bookings: Wallace (37), Riglar (85), Quantrill (87)

AFC Sudbury: Peachy; Jeffery, Slater, Barrett (Harding 90+5), Penny; Bonwick, Goodwin (Morton 65), Edwards (Looms 78); Frazzoni (C), Allen (Clark 90+5), Abrehart.

Unused subs: Frary, Smith.

Goals: Looms (80)

Bookings: Goodwin (36)

HT: 2-0

FT: 3-1

Venue: The Nest

Referee: Aidan Jones

Attendance: 296