Norwich City Ladies progressed in the SE Combination League Cup, beating Dagenham & Redbridge 4-0.This was a rematch for the opening game of the season back in August where City ran out 8-1 winners.

Norwich City Ladies progressed in the SE Combination League Cup, beating Dagenham & Redbridge 4-0.

This was a rematch for the opening game of the season back in August where City ran out 8-1 winners.

Taking nothing for granted, City were determined to progress to the next round of the cup especially after being beaten in the same stage last season against Gillingham.

Having the luxury of playing at Dagenham and Redbridge men's home ground Victoria Road - on what can be described as a pitch ideal for the passing game - City were looking for a good performance.

However it was a game which they started slowly, and with an injury blow to centrehalf Laura Thacker within the first 20 minutes it looked like it wasn't going to be an easy ride.

Dagenham, to their credit, were a much improved side and were proving a difficult side to break down and whilst City were creating opportunities they were not taking them.

Finally, City broke the deadlock and opened the scoring through Paige Shorten.

In the second half City once again struggled to break a resilient Daggers side down and it wasn't until the last 15 minutes of the game where City played short, simple passing that created three further goals and well-taken finishes from Nic Bray and Bex Burton.

Dagenham never gave up and, to their credit, came close on a couple of occasions and it was good goalkeeping and a slice of luck from the crossbar that they didn't get on the score sheet which they probably deserved.

City have drawn Cambridge Women away in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Co-manager Emma Fletcher said: “There was no excuses today, the pitch and condition of the pitch was perfect.

“Dagenham were never going to be the same side we faced at the start of the season, and proved a good test for us. However the girls dug deep and whilst it wasn't the best they have played, they ground a good result and the three goals scored at the end were well-taken finishes.”

And co-manager Scott Emmerson added: “The squad are being tested at the moment, with injuries and unavailability we have not had the opportunity to field the same side again.

“We did choose to rest players but even the best plan doesn't always work out, especially when 15 minutes in to a game you have to make your first substitution. Holly Clarke, who usually plays in goal, had to come on as an emergency right wing sub!

“However the girls are all upbeat and looking forward to next week already and hopefully another three points."

This weekend City Ladies travel to Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire in the league.