Norwich City Women boss Martin Herdman delighted with Cambridge win

Just over 48 hours on from their draw with London Seaward at the Nest, the Canaries showed no signs of fatigue as they dominated their hosts, with in-form striker Natasha Snelling netting a double. Midfielder Megan Todd also opened her account for the new season with a composed finish from the penalty spot.

City have recorded victories in all of their last three away matches and winning by such a significant margin at Cambridge also helped to boost their goal difference, something Herdman is delighted about at this early stage of the season.

Reflecting on the win, he said: “We played against a diamond and I thought they (Cambridge) actually had a really good high press on, but we found ways of getting through it tonight.

“We said to the girls (that) we’re coming here to attack and to try and score goals. We’re very mindful that we finished on a minus (goal difference) last year, so we would’ve liked a few more here, but we just want to try and let that handbrake off a little bit when we can.

“Not every game, but this was a game that we kind of targeted, to come and try and score some goals. Yeah, we could’ve scored more, but do you know what, four goals to nil, with a clean sheet, very good performance.”

Norwich’s next Women’s National League Division One South East challenge will see them face Cambridge United this Sunday afternoon in a much-anticipated match at Carrow Road.

With a crowd of around 5,000 expected, Herdman revealed how he is feeling and what his plans are, just a few days ahead of a significant day for the club.

“I’m really excited about the game,” he said. “It’s a really big opportunity for the girls to perform again.

“My family’s coming down. So my wife, my baby boy, her mum and dad, I’ve got friends coming down, they’re travelling down and staying over.

“I’ve absolutely loved my time here, I’ve really enjoyed it. I wear the badge now with pride, (and) I feel like with my family coming down, it is a second home now.

“So when I step out there, there’ll be hairs, I’m hoping, on the back of my neck, and hopefully we get the win for the fans. We’ve got fans here tonight, they’re incredible, you see the yellow shirts, the girls know it.

“So for me personally, it’s a big occasion, but it’s about the girls. That’s the main thing, it’s about those girls and them smashing it on the weekend.”

Woman of the moment Snelling, whose brace took her to six goals for the season so far, revealed that Norwich’s players are feeling equally as enthusiastic as Herdman regarding their upcoming Carrow Road outing.

She said: “(I’m) excited, definitely. All the girls are. It’s a big pitch, but we played there last year, and we’ll have the fans behind us, and yeah, everyone is excited.

“We want to play in the big stadiums, we want to play in front of the big crowds, and we’re now getting the opportunity.

“Obviously we don’t know the squad, we don’t know the starting formation. That’ll come out (on) Friday and then Saturday, so we don’t know who’s in the squad.

“I’ve obviously played 90 minutes on Sunday, and then it was nice to get a run-out here. We’ll go again for Sunday hopefully.”

Snelling also spoke positively about the impact Herdman has made since taking over as head coach earlier this summer.

The forward said: “Martin’s come in with a different philosophy to what Shaun (Howes) did last year, and it’s working, you can see. We’ve had a few scrappy games but we’re now starting to gel as a team.

“I think tonight we played with no pressure, and with a bit of confidence. We could’ve had way more goals, but we’ll take that result, four-nil, it’s perfect.”

Norwich City: Quantrill, Larkins (c) (Hailes 67), Flye (Strauss 77), Croft, Parker, Knights (Daviss 67), Smith, Todd (Tomlinson 67), Lawrence, Snelling (Shaw 60), Stanley.