Women's Report | Hull City 0-2 Norwich City

Norwich City Women

Norwich City Women picked up their first victory in Tier 3, beating Hull City 2-0 at the Versa Sportswear Stadium. 

Grace Riglar headed the Canaries in front late in the first half before Niyah Dunbar's first goal for the club wrapped up the points at the death.

Head coach Perry Northeast made one change to the side that drew 1-1 with Huddersfield Town last Sunday, Emily Wallace in place of Millie Daviss at the back. 

Abi Calver and Elliana Martin both featured in the matchday squad for the first time since their arrival in the summer with the latter coming on in the second half for her City debut. Zofia Szczech also made her first appearance for the club off the bench.

The hosts put City under pressure early on and had the first chance of the game when Erin Nicholson let fly from distance but her effort dragged wide of the far corner.

The Canaries threatened from out wide with Holly Kennard firing in a cross from the left which narrowly went over the head of Dunbar at the far post.

Hull captain Ellie Tanser had two quickfire chances to try and put her side in front. Firstly, following some superb holdup play from Macy Ellis in the box who set the ball back for her skipper to strike but Eloise King got a strong block in to deny her.

From the resulting corner the ball was kept alive before breaking kindly for Tanser but her drilled effort struck her own player in the six yard box which allowed City to clear.

Norwich took the lead on 40 minutes when Natalie Johnson combined well with Kennard before producing intelligent footwork to get past two defenders and win a corner.

Symonds took it and curled a dangerous ball into the six yard box which was met by the head of Riglar who glanced it home from close range to open her account for the season.

City pressured for a second before half time as Symonds worked space to shoot from outside the box but her driven strike was well saved.

After the break, the Tigers looked to respond quickly as Isobel Elliott rose highest to meet a wide free kick but Eva-Jean Young held her effort well.

The City stopper produced an incredible save shortly after to keep out Helen Lynskey's volleyed effort from a corner. Young getting a fingertip to the ball at full stretch to turn it on to the bar before Wallace followed up to turn it behind.

The Canaries continued to cause Hull problems out wide as Kennard released Symonds into the box. She flashed a low ball right across the box which was inches away from the foot of Dunbar at the far post.

Dunbar went close again shortly after with a brilliant solo run. She twisted and turned her way through two defenders before bearing down on goal only to be denied by the onrushing Abigail Wallace.

City continued to pile on the pressure as Dunbar set Johnson to strike from the edge of the box. Her dipping effort looked destined for the far corner but the fingertips of Wallace turned it onto the outside of the post.

Kennard continued to be a thorn in the side of the Tigers as she broke free down the right again. She drilled a low cross to Dunbar who couldn't make clean contact before the ball narrowly missed Martin in the six yard box.

Hull pushed for an equaliser in the later stages of the game but City defended valiantly to avoid any more real threat to Young's goal.

Norwich struck the decisive blow in stoppage time with a well-worked counter. The ball was cleared out to Kennard who drove from her own half all the way to the far touchline before sending a cross to the far post which was turned home by Dunbar from close range to wrap up the three points.

The Canaries return to action on Tuesday August 25th when Cambridge United visit The Nest in the FAWNL Cup group stage.

Hull City: Wallace, Hamill, Elliott, Tanser (C), Hunt, Andrew, Gigg, Lynskey, Nicholson, Ellis (Wilkinson 73), Gibrill-Keating (Ackroyd 78).

Subs not used: Williams, Pitter, Hudson, Wilson, Callander.  

Bookings: Andrew (9), Gigg (40)

Norwich City: Young; Wallace, Riglar (C), Williams, Johnson; King (Wilson 89), Symonds, Groves (Martin 61); Moore (Szczech 78), Kennard, Dunbar. 

Subs not used: Calver, Daviss, Hailes, Booty. 

Goals: Riglar (40), Dunbar (90+3)

Bookings: Riglar (20), Wallace (26), Kennard (59)

Half-time: 0-1

Full-time: 0-2

Venue: The Versa Sportswear Stadium

Referee: Feiruz Abdullahi