Norwich City secured a crucial away victory against QPR in the Women’s National League Division One South East. The match saw the Canaries play at QPR’s main home stadium, Loftus Road, in front of over 1,900 spectators. Norwich City’s Aimee Smith was instrumental in the victory, drawing a challenge from QPR goalkeeper Mya Francis-Pownall that resulted in a red card. Megan Todd scored the equalising goal shortly after the red card, which Smith believed was a turning point in the match. Smith acknowledged the growth of women’s football and expressed gratitude for the fans in attendance.
Assistant coach Nathan Pauling, who joined Smith in reflecting on the victory, praised the team’s ability to cope with the loud home crowd at Loftus Road. He explained that the pressure should have been off Norwich City as the away team, but emphasized the challenge of playing in a hostile environment. Pauling credited the team for breaking QPR’s resolve and scoring important goals both before and after the red card. He also spoke highly of head coach Martin Herdman, describing him as thorough and adaptable, and highlighted the positive rapport among the team’s coaching staff.
The victory against QPR kept Norwich City at the top of the Women’s National League Division One South East table. Smith’s strike shortly after the hour mark secured the team’s sixth away win of the season. Smith’s earlier challenge drew the red card for QPR’s goalkeeper and denied them an obvious goalscoring opportunity. She credited the red card for changing the game in Norwich City’s favor and acknowledged the advantage of playing against 10 men. The match took place at Loftus Road, a significant venue for the women’s game, and Smith expressed her delight at the growth and attention women’s football has received.
Norwich City’s line-up for the match included Quantrill in goal, Parker, Larkins, Strauss, and Tomlinson in defense, Morran as midfield anchor, Todd, Smith, Knights, and Lawrence as midfielders, and Snelling as the lone striker. The team demonstrated a strong performance and managed to secure the victory despite a challenging atmosphere. The assistant coach praised the team’s efforts and work rate, highlighting the importance of their collective effort in achieving positive results.
