Finally, football was back at The Nest after four long months!
Anticipation filled the air in NR10 ahead of what promises to be another season full of joy and superb football, only this time with promotion being a necessity rather than a desirable target.
The opponents were a side the Canaries knew very well, with Norwich and Cambridge United clashing four times last season. The first meeting saw City run out 5-0 winners, before meeting three times in the league (with the second game being postponed due to a severe injury to a Cambridge player).
It was also the first time the City faithful were able to see an Andy Cook side in action at home. After a good pre-season bedding in his philosophy, it was finally great to see it play out on home soil.
After impressing in her competitive debut last weekend against Dulwich Hamlet, 16-year-old Issy Moore was handed her first start in senior football for Norwich. Despite her young age, Moore played a significant role in helping Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers to promotion last season and has come through the Norwich City academy set-up.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill retained the captaincy due to Megan Todd’s meniscus tear, which she revealed she will be having a minor operation on in September. We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing Toddy back on the pitch with the captain’s armband sooner rather than later.
It was Norwich who enjoyed the early share of the chances, with Moore, Shannon Shaw, and Ellie Smith all coming close within the first 20 minutes. The latter pair had found the back of the net last weekend and were constantly probing to add to their tallies and put Norwich ahead.
But only a minute after Smith’s effort, Norwich were ahead through striker Natasha Snelling, grabbing her first of the campaign after a successful season in front of goal last term.
The goal came from some good footwork by Freya Symonds, cutting in from the left side to deliver a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Snelling, who made no mistake in finding the bottom corner.
Much like Norwich did in last week’s fixture, Cambridge responded well to falling behind and came close to an equaliser twice before halftime.
First, Sarah Quantrill was called into action five minutes before half-time, saving low at her near post, before summer signing Ella Powell made a vital goal-line clearance in first-half injury time to deny a certain goal for the visitors.
But there was still time for one last twist before the interval.
A promising Canaries attack saw the ball strike the arm of a U’s defender in the penalty area, but the referee awarded a corner instead to send the sides in with Norwich a goal to the good.
Sensing a route back into the game for Cambridge, the half-time whistle probably came at just the right time for City to reset and rediscover their composure.
In the second half, Norwich once again began on the front foot with who else but Ellie Smith coming close for the hosts.
Despite City’s patience being tested, the hour mark brought about another goal for the hosts and another goal for Snelling.
A blistering run from Moore saw her beat her defender with ease, before picking out Snelling with a pin-point cross.
If there were any nerves about losing key players such as Rachel Lawrence, Anna Larkins and Alice Parker, surely they were all put to rest now?
These last two games have perfectly showcased how good our new additions are, with Tamsin Medd-Gill running the show against Dulwich last week and both Moore and Ella Powell shining here.
Similar to the dynamic between Ben Knapper and Johannes Hoff Thorup, the relationship between Flo Allen and Andy Cook looks to be a force to be reckoned with, both on the pitch and in terms of recruitment.
Two almost became three, with substitutes Holly Kennard and Olivia Cook linking up brilliantly in the Cambridge penalty area, but Cook just couldn’t keep her shot low enough.
Deep into injury time, Snelling drilled a free kick over the crossbar as an impressive hattrick escaped her, but City were able to hold on and celebrate a return to The Nest with three points.
Two wins from two is just what the doctor ordered for this group as they look to go one better than last season but, make no mistake, they know how difficult their next fixture will be as all eyes turn to Thursday night.
A crucial game under the Carrow Road lights awaits for Norwich now as they face step three Ipswich Town in the determining round of the League Cup.
For many of the new faces it will be their first taste of the East Anglian derby but if last season was anything to go by, we know the Canaries are more than capable of going head-to-head with step three opposition.
It was in the FA Cup last season that Norwich knocked out Hashtag United, who are now fighting for promotion to step two, so there’s a chance for the side to progress.
