Canaries off to flying start

Norwich City Ladies 8, Dagenham & Redbridge 1Following a good pre-season programme Norwich City Ladies finally kicked off their South East Combination campaign against newly-promoted Dagenham and Redbridge.

Norwich City Ladies 8, Dagenham & Redbridge 1

Following a good pre-season programme Norwich City Ladies finally kicked off their South East Combination campaign against newly-promoted Dagenham and Redbridge.

Having played the Daggers a couple of seasons ago they knew this would be a tough opener and physical encounter and, coupled with very hot conditions, an all-round test.

However the ladies were determined to get a good result to kick-start their season and they did just that winning 8-1.

Sophie Fuller scored a first-half hat-trick, goals from Chelsea Garrett and Kate Parsons to make five and further goals followed in the second half from Nicola Bray, Jodie Drake and Garrett's second.

Daggers did get a consolation goal midway through the second half from a free-kick that gave the City keeper no chance.

Norwich co-manager Emma Fletcher said: “This is the start we all dreamed for, goals came from all over the park. We are thrilled to have started the season with such an emphatic win.

“However we know that we will need to play like this week in and week out, and that the squad of players we have will all play their part this season in our dream of pushing for promotion.”

Co-manager Scott Emmerson added: “It is the start we needed, we face a very tough match against Lewes next week and the girls will have to repeat today's performance all over again.

“Before the game we talked about we needed to believe we could actually challenge for the title, and we showed signs of that out their today.

“This is just the start of the season and we know we still have along way to go, but its not a bad start!"

Norwich Ladies face a tough Lewes side on Sunday at Plantation Park, 2pm kick-off.