Women's Report | Norwich City 1-1 Stoke City

Norwich City Women celebrate scoring against Stoke City

Norwich City Women came from behind to take a point against Stoke City in a Northern Premier Division fixture at The Nest on Sunday afternoon. 

Shannon Stamps broke the deadlock after 35 minutes played and Holly Kennard found the equaliser in the second half, but it was Grace Riglar who was the hero of the hour, making a goal-line clearance in the 95th minute to secure a point at home.

Perry Northeast made just one change from last week's draw over Boldmere St Michaels, Bryony Brodie missing out through injury after sustaining a broken finger in the previous outing. 

Poppy Groves moved into the starting 11 in her place, whilst Poppy Francis took up a seat on the bench. 

Stoke were first to test the goalkeeper as Evie Priestley attempted to lob Eva-Jean Young from distance, but the City stopper reacted quickly to deny her the opener.

Stamps was next to try her luck for the visitors, sending an effort well wide of the Canaries' goal.

Some brilliant work in midfield from Freya Symonds and Holly Kennard had the home side looking threatening in attack, but neither could pick out a teammate in the box.

A City corner delivered by Symonds eventually found Groves on the edge of the area, but her effort drifted narrowly over the crossbar.

The pair then both had efforts on goal, with Kennard's strike carrying plenty of power but flashing wide of the post, while Symonds' effort was on target but comfortably gathered by Madison Crosbie.

Against the run of play, the Potters then took the lead just after the half-hour mark.

A long-range strike from Delphi Cole crashed against the crossbar and Stamps was on hand to convert the rebound, tapping home with 35 minutes played.

The Yellows kept their heads up and continued to push for an equaliser. 

The closest they came before the break was when a brilliant cross from Kennard that flashed across goal, but Niyah Dunbar was unable to get on the end of it.

The well-deserved equaliser came ten minutes into the second half as Natalie Johnson worked hard to keep the ball in play after a brilliant ball over the top found the left-back in the far right corner. 

Her cross ended up in a scramble on the box, with Kennard poking home past Crosbie to level the scores just before the hour. 

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Holly Kennard celebrates scoring against Stoke City

Eloise King then rifled a shot goalward from the edge of the area that whistled past the crossbar. 

A strong strike from Roisin Kivel looked to be heading on target but fell just wide of Young's goal. 

Substitute Rachael Quigley then rattled the crossbar in another counter-attack from the visitors. 

The final chance of the game came late in injury time for Stoke as Megan Bradley rounded Young outside her area and rolled the ball towards goal, before she was denied by an on-rushing Riglar who heroically hooked the ball off the line. 

Whilst the Canaries had remained on top for most of the second half, they were unable to find the target again and the points were shared at The Nest. 

Norwich City: Young; Daviss (Szczech 83), Johnson, Riglar (C), Wilson; Symonds (Hailes 82), King, Groves; Kennard (Harrison 74), Moore, Dunbar (Densley 90+1). 

Subs not used: Irvine, Francis, Booty. 

Goals: Kennard (55)

Bookings: Johnson (87)

Stoke City: Crosbie; Molinari, Harkin, Cook (C), Lancaster; Kivel, Watkins, Deering; Stamps, Cole, Priestley (Quigley 62).

Subs not used: Thomas, Hewitt, Orthodoxou, Loydon, Clarke, Bradley.

Goals: Stamps (35)

Bookings: Molinari (55)

Half time: 0-1

Full time: 1-1

Venue: The Nest

Attendance: 285

Referee: Katie Allen