It was an end-to-end affair in the opening stages of the game, with both sides looking to break quickly. The first threat of the game came from a narrow miss and an offside call for Norwich in the 10th minute, with a strong attack from Lightning’s Gabriella Spillman being shut down by the goalkeeper.
The first corner and goal of the afternoon went Norwich’s way in the 20th minute, pushing the momentum in the visitors’ favour for the rest of the half.
Tilly Murphy provided some phenomenal saves to ensure a deficit of only one goal going into the break, whilst Ella Jarowicki and captain Olivia Mitchell Ramon both had close chances from outside the box but couldn’t quite find the back of the net.
The first change of the game came from Lightning, with Morgan Rogers replacing Denver Thompson after the half-time break. Lightning came out with a point to prove, with a dangerous cross from Jarowicki in the 49th minute, and some saves from Murphy preventing Norwich from extending their lead, but it couldn’t stop Norwich from doubling their lead from another corner in the 57th minute.
Lightning were quick to respond, however, from the restart. Their efforts were rewarded by captain Mitchell Ramon, as a strike outside the box pulled the Lightning back within one of Norwich just 4 minutes after their second goal.
The goal sparked a strong spell for the team, producing creative chances in quick succession that they were unable to capitalise on. Murphy in goal continued to keep Norwich at bay, with the introduction of Issy Conway and Ferne Powell for Gabriella Spillman and Emily McMaster in the 60th and 67th minutes helping to maintain Lightning’s momentum.
Against this momentum, Norwich scored their third and final goal in the 81st minute, extending their lead to 3-1.
A significant injection from Nia Davies in the 84th minute upped the intensity again for Lightning. Her contribution proved significant in Lightning’s second goal, where Langford scored with a header near the back post in the 88th minute to keep hopes alive of some points, but the game ultimately ended 3-2 to Norwich City.
A promising fight until the final whistle, but not quite enough to get it over the line. The team look ahead to West Bromwich Albion away next Sunday at The Alexander Stadium.
1.T. Murphy 6. H. Langford 54. E. West 2. E. McMaster (F. Powell 67) 14. B. Hogg (N. Davies 84) 35. O. Mitchell Ramon 22. D. Greenwood 23. E. Williams 13. D. Thompson (M. Rogers 45) 25. E. Jarowicki 18. G. Spillman (I. Conway 60) Unused Subs: Kingerley, Kennedy, Chads