Ebbsfleet 2, Norwich City Ladies 0

Norwich City Ladies looked to get back to winning ways, following their defeat away to MK Dons last week, playing at Ebbsfleet.

With the possibility of the game being called off due to heavy rain, City made the journey to Ebbsfleet with Vicki Stephens involved, following no lasting damage from last week’s scare.

The match started fairly even, but it was Ebbsfleet who were looking the more dangerous, but City stood firm in defence and limited them to long range efforts. Norwich looked dangerous with the outlets of Kyla Love and Anna Larkins on the wings, also with good support from Naomi Cooper and Becky Gray from full-back.

As the game progressed, Ebbsfleet were winning the battle in the air and pushing forward with intent, looking for the opener, but their only shot in the first half on target was put out for a corner from Fiona Coomes.

Half time score 0-0.

Both teams started the second half brightly, but the opening goal was illusive with neither team able to break the deadlock. Ebbsfleet again began to push forward, and having evaded the City defence, hit the crossbar. Norwich made the first change of the afternoon, Nat Clarke being replaced by Gemma Farman, having an immediate impact on the game; City started to knock the ball around and apply some pressure.

Good play from Norwich led to two chances for Anna Larkins, but she was unable to test the goalkeeper. Ebbsfleet then challenged Fiona from a free kick, but it was put just over.

Ebbsfleet took the lead following two good blocks from Norwich in the 6 yard box when the ball fell to Edmed, who volleyed into the net.

Norwich made their second substitution, bring on Gabrielle Whitehurst for Hayley Collison in centre midfield. Norwich continued to press to try and get the equaliser and Naomi Cooper’s shot from 40 yards looked like it was going in, but it dipped late on, enabling the goalkeeper to claim it. Following more good build up play from Norwich, Nadine Basson was released and went in for a 50 50 challenge with the Ebbsfleet keeper to try and equalise the scores, but the ball was claimed well and Basson needed treatment.

With Norwich searching for an equaliser late on, they were left exposed at the back and the second goal of the game came from a long ball through the middle and the impressive Sasha Diston was unable to stop Lisa Chante from doubling the scores for Ebbsfleet.

Final Score Ebbsfleet 2-0 Norwich City

Squad: Coomes, Cooper, Diston, Parsons (C), Gray, Love, Collison (Replaced by Whitehurst), Clarke (Replaced by Farman), Larkins, Basson, Stephens.