Norwich City Women suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to league leaders Rugby Borough in the FAWNL Northern Premier Division on Sunday.
An Evie Williams own goal after 21 minutes proved to be the difference between the sides at the Nationwide Windows Arena.
Perry Northeast made seven changes to the side that beat Cambridge United on Tuesday night. Grace Riglar and Natalie Johnson returned to the defence while Eloise King and Poppy Groves came into the midfield.
There was a completely new forward line compared to Tuesday with Holly Kennard, Niyah Dunbar and Elliana Martin in from the start, the latter making her full City debut. Bryony Brodie came on at half time to make her first appearance for the club.
The first couple of sights of goal fell to the hosts as first Ebony Wiseman and then Malika Gille let fly from distance in the early stages but Eva-Jean Young was equal to both low strikes.
City went close to taking the lead when Dunbar pressed the goalkeeper to block the ball as she went to clear but the City forward's touch diverted the ball into the side netting.
Rugby took the lead midway through the first half following a mix-up at the back from City. Evie Williams hooked the ball back towards her own goal under pressure which caught out Young who was unable to stop the ball going into the back of net for an own goal.
The Canaries pushed for an equaliser before the break with the closest opportunity falling to Johnson following a quick throw in. She hit a low strike from just inside the penalty area but Millie Crook in the Rugby goal was down quick to save.
Borough almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when Bethan Roberts fired a free kick towards the far corner but her powerful drive came back off the post.
City applied pressure in the early stages of the second half as Kennard floated a ball towards the far post which was inches away from the head of Dunbar.
Shortly after Groves released Dunbar in behind on the break. She drove towards goal under heavy pressure before setting the ball for Issy Moore to strike. She met it first time and looked to curl one into the far corner but Crook was down well to parry it behind.
Norwich maintained pressure on the Rugby defence throughout the second half and almost levelled with five minutes to go when Dunbar slotted Brodie through in the box. She fired an effort towards the far bottom corner but was denied by a full stretch save.
Despite a strong performance City were unable to find an equaliser and succumbed to their first defeat of the season.
The Canaries return to FAWNL Cup action in their next outing as they travel to Luton Town for their second group game on Sunday 6th September.
Rugby Borough: Crook, Alanah, S.Morris, A.Brown, Moncaster (Bullen 90), Wiseman (C) (Greenslade 73), Camwell, Potts, Gille, Mosby, Roberts.
Subs not used: E.Brown, Billa-Patel, K.Morris, Paul-Thomas, Garrison.
Goals: Williams OG (21)
Bookings: Moncaster (53), Camwell (84), S. Morris (88)
Norwich City: Young; Daviss (Szczech 78), Riglar (C), Williams, Johnson; Symonds, King (Brodie h-t), Groves (Hailes 80); Martin (Moore 29), Dunbar, Kennard.
Subs not used: Frary, Densley, Wilson.
Half-time: 1-0
Full-time: 1-0
Venue: Nationwide Windows Arena
Referee: Gavin Hill