Thursday 29th August

FAWNL Cup Determining Round

East Anglian derbies have been the highlight for many season’s between Norwich City and Ipswich Town, games full pf passion, excitement and drama and at long last it’s the woman’s sides who get the opportunity to steal the show at one of the two clubs iconic stadium’s with Carrow Road hosting the pair in the now traditional opening round of the FAWNL League Cup competitions the Determining Round. The winning side going on to contest the League Cup itself, with the losers still competing for silverware in the form of the League Plate.

 Before I continue I should apologise to the Norwich City Women fans, new and old for highlighting the last time I covered the two sides in an East Anglian derby. Back then on the 19th February 2020, was a wet and miserable evening in Blofield, at Norwich’s old home of Plantation Park. The hosts struggling in the league with Ipswich very much on the crest of a wave, building a strong side with a frightening array to talent coming into their side from their newly formed FAWSL academy side. Ipswich on the hunt for promotion from South East Division One proved too hot to handle on the night, Eloise King rattling in a hat-trick as Ipswich powered their way to a 10-0. ‘Ipswich and Norwich poles apart tonight’ the final words of that report.

 I only highlight that now so that it shows how far Norwich have come from that wet and miserable night. Run by a small but dedicated band of volunteers the woman’s side is now fully under the banner of the main club, Ex-WSL player Flo Allen coming in a General Manager. The club with a fantastic new home moving to the The Nest a newly build sporting facility on the outskirts of the city. As a result have gone from a side struggling at one end of the league to one now amongst the favourites to achieve promotion to tier 3. A growing fanbase too are very much on the up!

 Matching those ambitions by bringing in Andy Cook as their new head coach. Managing Newcastle United Women previously, winning the League Cup before achieving promotion to the FAWSL Championship last season. Will be looking to build on last season with Norwich finishing runners-up in South East Division One. 10 players leaving the club over the summer including captain Anna Larkins who had been at the club for 16 years. Megan Todd taking over the captain’s armband this season.

  6 new faces joining the club, Sienna Booty and Izzy Moore setting up to the 1st team from the Academy Development Program. Jess Barnes who had an impressive season at the centre of defence for Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women as they won promotion to the ERWFL Premier Division dual signs with Norwich. Lara Densley having been with Norwich between 2020-22 returns after a brilliant season on the wing for Wroxham Women. Attacker, Ella Powell joins having been at Loughborough Lightning for the past 3 seasons along with Tamsin Medd-Gill who has tier 3 experience with Plymouth Argyle Women. Cook’s reign getting off to a fantastic start with 2 wins from two in the league 2-3 away to newly promoted Dulwich Hamlet Women on the opening day with Natasha Snelling bagging a brace in this Sunday’s home win over Cambridge United Women.  In fact just Snelling and Millie Davies remain from the side that featured in that 10-0 loss.

  Ipswich Town Women lit the touch paper when it comes to getting ahead in the game, like Norwich long established as a tier 4 side, moved for that extra bit of investment to carry the club to the next level building a strong side and with in a FAWSL academy league set-up full of talented youth players to push forwards. Bearing fruit in the 2019/20 season, Covid would come along to throw things off the rails but once that began to settle and the FA looked to reset the leagues Ipswich won their rightful place in tier 3 and haven’t looked back, finishing in the top 4 in the past 3 seasons, records a 3rd, 2nd and 4th placed finish under manager Joe Sheehan. Have also done well in terms of gaining new supporters and have a passionate fanbase cheering on the team.

  With just the one promotion spot available throughout the FAWNL, achieving it is a very difficult task and sides invest much into achieving it. Ipswich coming close remain ambitious the goal to reach the Championship beyond. Remain committed to seeking out young talent to develop while adding a smattering of experience, players moving on just 3 remain from that night at Plantation Park, hat-trick heroine, Eloise King, along with fan favourites, Sophie Peskett and Natasha Thomas. A new raft of players coming into the club this season all with useful experience, Angela Addison prominent amongst those, having previously featured for Charlton Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur. Ella Rutherford another joining from Charlton. Isabella Fisher is duel signed to Ipswich from Arsenal. Charlotte Fleming the new captain, joins having been in the Championship with Watford last season. Grace Garrad likewise with Lewes in the Championship last campaign. Shauna Guyant and goalkeeper, Natalia Negri playing for Crystal Palace last season as the club won promotion to the FAWSL for the 1st time. Showed they will be up at the top competing again with two wins from their opening two games both against sides who would consider themselves title contenders too, 1-3 away to Oxford United on the opening day and a 2-0 victory at home to Hashtag United Women this Sunday. Sophie Peskett on target to score 3 goals across both matches.

Norwich City Women getting used to the atmosphere at Carrow Road having gotten the opportunity to play a number of fixtures at the Championship ground in recent seasons hoping for another large turn out with Ipswich themselves bringing 750 fans to Norfolk. Have met once since that night at Plantation Park, Ipswich beating Norwich 3-1 at The Nest in the FA Women’s Cup late in 2020. The first time the pair have gotten the opportunity to go head to head at Carrow Road, the pitch a carpet to play on, the fans close to the action the South Stand being used for this evenings game. Activities outside the ground and a DJ providing pre match entertainment to help build the atmosphere. A lovely evening warm and dry after a pleasant warm day. 

Norwich City Women starting XI – Sarah Quantrill (C), Izzy Moore, Tamsin Medd-Gill, Ceri Flye, Hope Strauss, Eloise Morran, Lauren Hailes, Freya Symonds, Holly Kennard, Ellie Smith & Natasha Snelling.  Subs – Amber Locker, Chardonnay Johnston, Ella Powell, Lara Densley Shannon Shaw, Olivia Cook & Sienna Booty.

Ipswich Town Women starting XI – Natalia Negri, Shauna Guyant, Megan Wearing, Evie Williams. Leah Mitchell, Charlotte Fleming (C), Lucy O’Brien, Issy Bryant, Maisy Barker, Angela Addison & Isabella Fisher. Subs – Laura Hartley, Maria Boswell, Summer Hughes, Natasha Thomas, Eloise King & Sophie Peskett.

 The DJ getting the crowd pumped up before the match as the teams are led out onto the pitch, the Ipswich fans in good voice too occupying the away section. The teams lining up opposite the spectators. Norwich without new captain Megan Todd at the start of the season, full back Lauren Tomlinson too who suffered a broken wrist in Norwich’s last match.  Ipswich with six of their new signings in the starting line-up including new captain, Charlotte Fleming. The game attracting plenty of media interest, including being broadcast live on BBC Radio Norfolk.

  It’s the visitors, Ipswich to get the Determining Round tie underway kicking off the 1st half, wearing blue coloured shirts with white shorts and blue socks, Norwich lined up opposite in their traditional yellow coloured shirts with yellow socks and green shorts. The ball played back to the defence Ipswich allowed time on the ball patient moving it across the back line from left to right before sending a probing pass up the right for Issy Bryant to attack, Freya Symonds stretching out a leg to intercept for Norwich, turns and makes a powerful run up the wing in front of the cheering fans, Shauna Guyant in to play the ball off Symonds for a throw in.

  Norwich getting everyone behind the ball inside their own half allowing Ipswich possession at the back the visitors with a slow build up happy to keep possession, Fleming central clipping the ball out to the right wing with Bryant bursting forwards, Izzy Moore at left back for Norwich going with her as she looks to see the ball out of play, not happening with Bryant hustling Moore instead gets her foot on the ball to control and clears up field. 

 Both wide players lively at the start for Ipswich, with Maisy Barker breaking down the left the full backs coming on with the ball as Norwich concede ground, Fleming again to lift a diagonal pass out to the right looking for Bryant, Moore getting head head on the ball to cancel the threat for Norwich. Ellie Smith looking to get hold of the ball central for Norwich drive the attack, gives away a foul in the circle on Fleming. The set-piece taken quickly lifted on down the left for Barker breaking into space in behind to turn cross into the area, Ceri Flye heading the ball clear at the back for Norwich.

 Ipswich quick to retain possession getting players up around the edge of the box, Norwich dropping back no space to thread a ball in behind, likewise getting it out to attack the opposition tough with both Smith and Natasha Snelling picking up the ball inside their own half soon running into traffic. Guyant up with Bryant on the right for Ipswich the ball slid into the area snatched up safely by Sara Quantrill in the Norwich goal. Snelling linking up with Symonds on the left an opportunity to attack with the ball down the line, wins a throw in, gives the attackers a chance to cause an issue up the other end, Smith harrying the defence in possession top of the area, Megan Wearing getting it way for Ipswich.

  Evie Williams sending the ball on for Barker down Ipswich’s left side races on down the line before cutting the ball back into the top of the area looking for Angela Addison Eloise Morran tracking back for Norwich, stealing the ball off the attacker to clear. Norwich launch a counter attack through the middle, Snelling on the drive with the ball at her feet played out to Symonds on the left sends an angled cross in long towards the far post, Ipswich goalkeeper Natalia Negri getting up to pluck the ball down, keeping hold of it as Smith comes rushing in on her, a free-kick on the keeper awarded by the referee. 

 Ipswich with possession calm at the back stroking the ball about advancing as a unit the ball into the middle for Lucy O’Brien with Fleming taking it out to the right played into Fisher pulling wide the striker sending the ball inside to Bryant top of the area, Flye putting in the blocking tackle the ball coming back to Fisher outside, darts inside to send a cross in on the angle wide across the top of the six yard box.

  Norwich soaking up alot of pressure look determined in defence as Ipswich playing the ball across the back launch an attack on their left Williams on for Barker her cross into the top of the area, Flye quickly in to block the resulting strike from Addison. Moore closed down at the back for Norwich under pressure squeezes the ball inside for her keeper to clear, Quantrill forced into a hasty clearance with Addison moving to close her down.

 Ipswich able to get players into advanced positions, Leah Mitchell up inside the D as the ball runs into her path rifles in a powerful strike towards goal the ball smashing down off the cross bar Quantrill dropping to the ground in an attempt to get something on it reacts quickly as Addison latches onto the loose ball six yards out to the left of go, the keeper throwing herself up to bat the follow up shot pushed away to the left, Barker getting it back to send a cross into the mix, Hope Strauss heading it away for Norwich as they see out the threat.

  Flye picking up a knock in the melee, down needing treatment, both sides coming over to their respective benches for instruction. The defender okay to continue Norwich limited in their opportunities to attack, both Snelling and Smith often receiving the ball inside their own half, quickly closed down as they attempt to carry the ball on. Lauren Hailes winning the ball for Norwich sending it on for Holly Kennard attacking on the right taking the ball on looks to turn inside Williams, the full back coming back at her to tackle regain possession for Ipswich send her team forward played through to Fisher making a run into the right channel turns it wide to Guyant in the right as she arrives in the box, Guyant sending a shot racing wide across the face of goal from the angle.

  Ipswich pressing look a threat, Barker from the left firing a cross into the top of the area, Guyant latching onto the ball right of the D, driven in low, Quantrill down smartly to make the save turn the ball behind for a corner kick. Curled into the near post from the right the corner headed clear, Norwich look for the break the ball sent long up to Kennard breaking on down the right, tracks inside before Fleming covers the ground to challenge and turn play around Ipswich on the attack, Kennard down off the ball play stopped with the winger appearing to be in trouble. A pause in play and after assessment, Kennard is allowed to play on. 

  Guyant getting on well down the right for Ipswich up with Bryant her cross into the area cut out by Hailes for Norwich. No break on for Norwich, Ipswich come back winning a free-kick 25 plus yards out to the right, slid down the line for Guyant to fire in a low cross, Flye stepping in to block the ball for Norwich. A dogged effort from Norwich at the back, little for the attackers to feed on Smith releasing Symonds on the left wing powers her way forwards, the ball turned out of play, Symonds feeding off the crowds energy looking to pump them up. 

  Smith bringing the ball inside running across the top of the Ipswich D looking for an opening instead sends it on for Kennard out wide she turns it back into the area, looking for the run of Hailes the midfielder, not quite able to take it in her stride, Mitchell clearing for Ipswich.

  Mitchell part of the next Ipswich attack bringing the ball on before firing it on into the area for Fisher pulling off the defence right of goal, gets a shot away on the angle but straight at Quantrill who drops to make the save. Fisher advancing down the left channel played on by Addison surges forwards knocking the ball on towards the top of the area, Flye comes to close her down managing to nick the ball away from the attacker, hurt as Fisher catches her foot on the follow through. The defender taking the knock able to shake it off.

   Fleming doing well in the middle getting about to win the ball keep her side on the front foot, dominant in possession. Smith into Hailes, picks out Kennard on the right takes the ball forwards inside for Smith, looks to turn off Williams the full back on close getting her toe on the ball to take it off the attacker. O’Brien sends the ball on for Barker left for Ipswich closing in on the by-line cuts the cross into the area charged down by Flye turned behind for a corner kick. Curled into the near post headed clear by Smith for Norwich. 

 Ipswich turning the screw barker in again on their left closing in on the by-line cut back up to Addison on the box looks to fire her shot in across goal, Strauss in the way blocking to turn it out past the far post for a corner kick. Swung into the six yard box, Quantrill comes in amongst bodies to punch the ball clear. Ipswich with all the attacking play, Norwich though putting in a determined effort in defence. Symonds down needing treatment as she stretches out a leg to prevent Fisher driving on with the ball. 

  Barker seeing another low cross from the left cut out by Flye, Ipswich pushed up quick to regain the ball swung out to the right, Bryant’s attempted cross deflected off Morran into the side netting for a corner kick. Players up the ball curled into the six yard box, attacking it an Ipswich player goes down falls to Fisher six yards out gets the ball in on target but can only find Quantrill back on her line. 

 Fisher reacting quickly to nip in on the ball as Morran plays it short at the back to the left of the area, looks to strike the ball across the goal can’t get it wide enough of Quantrill. Addison in the left channel has Barker ahead of her as Ipswich press forwards in the closing stages of the first half the ball, looking to pick her out, Hailes and Morran both put in challenges to half the attack play switched to the right with Mitchell bombing forwards her cross on the run struck over the bar.  

Half-time Norwich City Women 0-0 Ipswich Town Women

  Goalless at the break, somehow! Ipswich having the lions share of possession able to play the ball across the back push up, creating numerous opportunities, Quantrill by far the busier of the two goalkeepers producing a couple of top draw saves. Norwich have set there stall out to defend and have for the large part done well soaking up pressure dropping back inviting their opponents on has limited their own opportunities going the other way with their attackers often deep having alot of work to do. Ipswich comfortable at the back. A question now of whether Norwich can keep their opponents out for another 45 minutes, Ipswich will fancy their chances of breaking the deadlock if the balance of play remains the same.

  No changes for either side at the break, Norwich to get the tie underway 2nd half, extra-time and penalties should they be required. Played out to the left, Bryant in to close the left back down as Ipswich look to get straight on the attack. From the right the ball pushed inside to Fisher who in turn finds Addison to her left, drives forwards, Flye into win the ball back for Norwich. 

  Ipswich attack left Williams on for Barker attacks down line evading Medd-Gill’s challenge tracking to the by-line the Norwich full back coming back at her to charge the cross down, the ball played back up the line, Williams cross in from deep cleared by Strauss at the top of the Norwich area. Strauss with the outstretched leg to get in ahead of Addison inside the box as Bryant looks to pick her out from the right.

  The pattern pretty much as you were in the first half Ipswich pushed up on half way knocking the ball about at the back probing the Norwich flanks. The hosts soaking up the pressure well mind an assured defensive performance so far. The cross-field pass coming to Bryant out on the right, looks to take the ball on, held up by Moore, looks to put it back up the line for Mitchell, Symonds getting back to support Moore and break up play. 

 Fleming with the diagonal pass out to Bryant on the right clips it back across the top of the area into Fisher back to goal 20 out, turns and twists looking to get a half yard pick out Guyant in the area ahead of her, Strauss in to close her down for Norwich. Both sets of supporters finding their voice looking to encourage their teams a great atmosphere as Ipswich force a corner on the left. Curled into the middle of goal, Quantrill with the reactive save knocking the ball up into the air, dropping for Addison top of the six yard box looks to place a deft header back in on target looping up but caught safely by the Norwich keeper back on her line.

Norwich barely out of their half in the opening 10 minutes of the 2nd half, Ipswich continue to knock on the door. Smith getting Kennard on the move on the right is cleaned out as she breaks away, no foul a throw in to Norwich put inside to Hailes making a run 25 yards from goal, can’t get a shot away before she is closed down. Barker running the ball to the by-line left for Ipswich held up cuts it back up the line for Williams to fire a diagonal ball in to the top of the area, Fisher the target, Flye nips in ahead of her to win it for the hosts.

An hour played Ipswich preparing a triple substitution Summer Hughes, Natasha Thomas and Sophie Peskett coming on to replace, Barker, Fisher and Bryant up top. Quickly into the action Thomas linking up with Guyant and Mitchell advanced on the right to win a corner. Played into the top of the area before being put back wide to the corner taker the cross intercepted by Strauss. Peskett operating on the right for Ipswich with a forceful run in behind flashes a dangerous ball in along the face of the Norwich goal.

GOAL! Hughes with the ball at her feet bursts infield from the left driving across the D sends it on for Peskett to the right, top of the area, lifts her cross into the middle, Flye up with Thomas the ball deflected down off the Ipswich attack falls straight to Hughes positioned left of the D, drills a low shot in towards goal racing past the diving Quantrill into the bottom corner to open the scoring and her Ipswich account for the season. 0-1.

  The deadlock broken at last, an inspired triple change from manger Joe Sheehan with all three substitutes involved in the goal. Play resumes Ipswich straight on the attack winning a corner on the right.

GOAL! Have played in some inviting in swingers from their corners a this one is on the money from Guyant, put in central Thomas inside the six yard box rising the highest to power her header into the top corner to double the lead 0-2. Thomas getting her account up and running for the season.

The substitutes tuning the game on it’s head, Norwich having defended stoutly for an hour quickly falling 2 goals behind will have to change strategy now to get themselves back into the tie. Ipswich not willing to let them out however as they press the advantage getting bodies forwards. Peskett coming back from a long injury lay off towards the end of last season looking hungry on the ball as she drives at the defence, Strauss coming across to help out Moore. Peskett retrieving the ball to turn and lift a vicious cross in to the far post, Thomas trying her best to get on the end of it can’t keep the ball in play.

  Smith looking to get something going for Norwich in attack stealing on on Wearing to have a run at the opposition box coming inside Wearing gets back at her Smith giving the foul away. Mitchell defending well against Smith as the Norwich attacker battles to get into the box.

  Norwich making a change bringing on an additional attacker with Shannon Shaw on to replace Medd-Gill.

GOAL! The substitutes continue to cause havoc for Ipswich Peskett fed the ball out on the right pushes on into the area lifting the ball inside towards Addison positioned on the penalty spot, meets it superbly turning the ball past the keeper into the top corner off the bar to score her 1st Ipswich goal and fire her side into a 3 goal lead in the 73rd minute. 0-3.

Ipswich on top getting hold of the ball in the middle Fleming into Peskett right channel, looks to burst on towards the area, Flye getting across the attacker to shield the ball play it back for Quantrill to launch clear. The Ipswich fans in full voice. Peskett seeing the ball into her feet right side rolling her marker to turn in behind races on into the box, Flye across to stand her up the winger flashing her cross/shot up over the bar.

 A double change for Ipswich as they bring off Mitchell and O’Brien, on come Maria Boswell and Eloise King. Thomas gets the ball from Flye outside the area left of goal but drags the resulting shot wide. Norwich making a double switch with Symonds and Kennard coming off, Lara Densley and Olivia Cook sent on. Norwich getting players up now to support the attackers apply a bit of pressure to the Ipswich defence, on their right almost pays off as Snelling forces a loose pass into the box, Negri coming racing out to try and get their before the attacker, Snelling goes down off her challenge, the keeper though appearing to just get her foot on the ball ahead of Snelling.

GOAL! Ipswich get up the other end to fire in a 4th goal and this one is all about Sophie Peskett as fantastic effort as the winger picks the ball up on the right shifts inside and turns on the after burners to surge into the area and arrows her strike into the top right corner, 4 goals for Peskett from their opening 3 fixtures 0-4.

  Norwich hit for four make another change with less than 10 minutes to play Moore coming off with Ella Powell joining the game. Morran with a swing at the ball from all of 30 yards out running wide of the Ipswich goal. King with a robust challenge giving the foul away on Smith. 25 yards out players up from the back swung into the area turned behind for a corner at the near post. Curled in from the right a sharp save from Negri back on her line to see the ball run out past the left post for another corner. Fleming defending for Ipswich.

  Smith coming off for Norwich with Sienna Booty coming on. Densley snapping on to steal the ball outside the box left of goal sends the ball into the middle. to close to Negri the keeper with the claim. The game moving into stoppage time. Opening up in the closing stages but Ipswich settled comfortable to keep the ball moving stretch Norwich, Peskett their outlet up top on the right forcing an attack n the drive Flye getting across to put in the challenge send the ball into the stands for a throw. The final whistle blows and Ipswich advance to the league cup proper with a memorable win at Carrow Road.

Full time Norwich City Women 0-4 Ipswich Town Women

  Ipswich look the business I have to say a strong performance this evening with the lions share of the possession. Creating numerous chances in the first half. Norwich set out to defend and would have been pleased that determined effort saw them head in goalless at the break. More of the same 2nd half, Norwich soaking up alot of pressure holding out, then the triple substitution on the hour changing the game the new players impacting the game straight away, Summer Hughes firing in the opener, quickly followed by Natasha Thomas from a corner. In front Ipswich kept up the attacking player Peskett a threat on the right setting up Angela Addison for the 3nd goal before adding a superb solo effort to make it 4-0. A good start in the league and into the league cup will certainly fancy their chances in both competitions. Norwich fought well in defence but ultimately inviting Ipswich on for so long couldn’t hold out had little by way of attacks a performance to be proud of nonetheless and into the League Plate have what it takes to go all the way.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto this evening’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match, one contender putting herself forwards in the finish. Although their are some performances of note to mention. Firstly for Norwich it was a gritty and determined effort at the back, soaking up the pressure, for the large part dealt with it well, Ceri Flye in particular with a number of vital challenges and interceptions. Lauren Hailes getting back to help the defence looking to break up play. Sarah Quantrill with some important save in the first half to kept it goalless. For Ipswich Charlotte Fleming was strong in the middle getting about to win the ball back keep her side in the opposition half, Issy Bryant and Maisy Barker getting on well down the flanks putting several inviting balls into the box. The substitutes on the hour proving the difference, none more so that Sophie Peskett back to her best taking the ball on turning her opponents involved in the opening and 3rd goals as well as adding to her tally with a brilliant solo effort.

  Another enjoyable evening at Carrow Road, great to finally see the Norwich and Ipswich woman getting to contest an East Anglian derby at the ground. A fantastic crowd of 4751 in attendance in good voice creating a great atmosphere. My thanks to Norwich City for the media opportunity.

by Darren Gilham