Page 21 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.19 2020-21

LONG CRENDON LADIES F.C.

Norwich City have lifted the Harrod Sports Norfolk Women’s Cup after beating Mulbarton
Wanderers 7-0 in the Final at the FDC Field of Dreams.
In the opening few minutes, neither side maintained possession well with many passes not
finding feet. The first meaningful chance fell to Norwich with they appeared to have scored in a
goalmouth scramble, only for referee Cameron Saunders to rule out the goal for a foul.
The deadlock was broken in the eighth minute when Aimee Durrant latched onto a grounded
through ball from Ellie Smith. Using her pace to get away from the Mulbarton defence, Durrant
delivered a cross that gave Megan Todd an easy finish from one yard out.
Despite taking an early lead and having more possession, Norwich struggled to create anymore
chances with Vicky McNorton making vital clearances to keep her side in the game until the 27th
minute when a long range effort from Durrant crashed against the crossbar of the Mulbarton goal.
Norwich hit the crossbar again just minutes later when Kate Parsons jumped highest from a corner
and guided her header against the woodwork.
Just after the 30th minute Norwich had two good opportunities to double their lead as Alice
Parker had a shot from distance that was comfortably saved and Mille Daviss failed to convert from
close range after meeting a cross at the front post. Moments later Norwich stepped up their intensity
leading to Aimee Durrant doubling the Canaries lead when she beat the onrushing Anderson to the
ball and calmly dinked the ball into the empty Mulbarton goal.
Despite some inspired saves from Anderson between the Mulbarton sticks, Norwich got their
third through Kathryn Stanley as she whipped the ball into the top right corner from 20 yards out
with her first touch.
The first chance of the second period fell to Norwich’s main playmaker, Ellie Smith, as she fired
across the face of goal and wide after some very skilful work from Todd. Norwich got their fourth
when Stanley was brought down just inside the penalty area by Mel Belsey and Kate Parsons calmly
stroked the ball home past the diving Anderson. The Yellow’s fifth came on the hour mark when
Stanley nodded home from close range from a magnificent Natasha Snelling cross along the touch
line.
Stanley completed her hat-trick after latching onto a deflected clearance in the Mulbarton area
as she curled the ball into the far stanchion. With less than five minutes to play, Parsons got her
second and her side’s seventh with a commanding header at the near post from a corner on the left.
Mulbarton Wanderers: Cara Anderson, Meg Belsey, Mel Belsey, Olivia Mingham-Gray, Vicky
McNorton, Alice Smith, Laura Hedtke, Sophie Jermy, Ellie Hunter, Bryony Knights and Bex Lake.
Subs: Morgan Devine, Annie Smith, Meg Anderson, Millie Cursons, Julia Robathan.
Norwich City: Ellie-Rai Quinn-Nichols, Anna Larkins, Kate Parsons, Aimee Durrant, Millie
Daviss, Natasha Snelling, Megan Todd, Kathryn Stanley, Alice Parker, Izzy Collins and Ellie Smith.
Subs: Jordan Arnoup, Brooke Osbourne, Reeanna Cook, Leilah Gooding and Jess Harper.
(Report courtesy of Norfolk County FA)
Issue no. 19 - 27 May 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk